
W mm . m 

jm 


•Mann 


m h$m 

''»*'' * •« v V-S'' v \ * •' v‘£w 


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf S , 34 

h— — — Ad. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 















































A 




























I 

















































































































































































































































































































































































































































. 











































Adventures of a Donkey 














Adventures of a Donkey 


sr 


sUru. Cl 

PROM TIIE FRENCH OF 


Mme. LA COMTESSE, DE SEGUR. 

'I • I 


BY P. S, A GRADUATE OF ST. JOSEPH’S, EMMITTSBURG, MD. 


ILLUSTRATED. 



FtTBLISHED EE" JOHN 1 E. PIET, 

No. 174 West Baltimore Street, 



Copyright, John B. Piet, 1880. 


?tess of John P. Piet , Baltimore. 


TO MY LITTLE MASTER, 


M. HENRI DE SEGUR. 


My little master, you have been good to me, but you have 
spoken contemptuously of donkeys in general. To make you better 
acquainted with them, I write and offer you this story of my adven- 
tures, from which you will learn, my dear little master, how I, a poor 
donkey, and my very many donkey friends, have been and are 
still unjustly treated by men. You will see that wc have much 
intelligence and many excellent qualities; you will also see how 
wicked I was in my youth, that I was severely punished for it, and 
how repentance changed me and restored to me the friendship of my~' 
comrades and masters. In fine, you will perceive on reading this 
book, that instead of saying “ as stupid as a donkey, as ignorant as a 
donkey, as headstrong as a donkey,” one should say, “as intelligent 
as a donkey, as learned as a donkey, as docile as a donkey,” and that 
you and your kindred might Well be proud of these eulogiums. 

Hi ! ban ! my good master, I hope no period of your life may 
resemble the early years of j*our faithful servant, 


CADICHON, THE LEARNED DONKEY. 







Adventures of a Donkey. 


1 do not remember my infancy ; I was probably unhappy, like 
all infant donkeys, pretty and graceful as we all are. I was certainly 
very intelligent, since, even at my present time of life, being now 
somewhat advanced in years, my mental endowments are far superior 
to those of my comrades. More than once did I outwit my poor 
masters, who were but men, and who, consequently, could not be 
expected to possess the intelligence of a donkey. 

I shall begin these Adventures by relating one of the tricks I 
played Upon them in my youth. 




TABLE OF CONTENTS 


I.— The Market, 

II.— The Pursuit, 

III. — New Masters, 

IV. — The Bridge, 

V.— The Cemetery, - 

VI.— The Hiding-Peace, 

VII.— The Locket, 

VIII.— The Fire, 

IX— The Donkey Race, 

X.— Good Masters, - 

XI.— Cadichon sick, - 

XII.— The Robbers, 

XIII. — The Vaults, 

XIV. — Theresa, 

XV.— The Gunning Party, 
XVI — Medor, - 
XVII.— The School Children, 
XVIII.— The Baptism, 

XIX.— The Learned Donkey, 
XX.— The Frog. 

XXL— The Pony, 

XXII.— The Punishment. 
XXIII.— The Reformation, 
XXIV.— The Robbers, 

XXV.— The Reparation, 
XXVI.— The Boat, 


1 

8 

13 

17 

24 

32 

40 

46 

53 

66 

75 

78 

86 * 

94 

111 

122 

132 

138 

147 

164 

168 

180 

194 

218 

239 

254 



















































































































































- ' 












. 










' 




. 

































< 




* 












































































The Adventures of a Donkey. 


I. 

THE MARKET. 

Men not being supposed to be aware of all that don- 
keys know, yon, who read this book, are doubtless igno- 
rant of what is well known to all my donkey friends, 
namely : that every Tuesday in the town of Laigle there 
is held a market, where vegetables, butter, eggs, cheeso 
and other excellent things are sold. This Tuesday is a 
day of torture for my poor comrades ; it was so for mo 
before I was bought by my present good old mistress, your 
grandmother. I belonged to a farmer’s wife, exacting 
and cruel. Just imagine, my dear little master, that she 
carried her malice so far as to collect all the eggs her 
hens laid, all the butter and cheese from her cows’ milk, 
all the vegetables and fruits that ripened during the week, 
to fill baskets which she placed upon my back. 

And when I was so heavily laden that I could 
scarcely move, this wicked woman seated herself upon 
the baskets and obliged me to trot thus burdened, over- 
whelmed, indeed, to the market of Laigle, a league from 
the farm. I was all this time in a rage I dared not show, 


2 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


for fear of the stick my mistress carried, a very big one 
full of knots, that hurt sorely when she beat me. When- 
ever I saw or heard these preparations for market, I 
sighed, I groaned, I ever brayed, in hopes of softening 
the hearts of my owners. 

“ Shut your mouth, great idle thing,” said they^coming 
to get me, “ shut your mouth, and do not deafen us with 



your coarse, horrid voice. Hi ! ban ! hi ! ban ! that is 
beautiful music you are gi ving us ! Edward, my boy, bring 
this lazy beast up to the door whilst your mother puts 
the load on his back. Here is a basket of eggs— one 
more! The cheese— the butter!— now the vegetables. 
That’s right! Here is a fine load, that is going to 
bring us several five franc pieces. Mary, my daughter, 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


3 


bring a cliair for your mother to mount the donkey. 
Good bye, a pleasant trip, wife, and make this lazy beast 
move. Hold on, here is your stick, hit him with it.” 

Pan ! Pan ! 

“ That’s right, a few more caresses of that kind and 
he’ll go.” 

Ylan ! Ylan ! The stick never ceased to belabor my 
sides, my legs, my neck ; I trotted, I almost galloped, yet 
the woman still beat me. I was indignant at so much 
injustice and cruelty; I tried to kick and throw her off, 
but I was too heavily burdened ; I could only start and 
sway from side to side, thus affording myself the satisfac- 
tion of feeling her slipping down. “ Wicked donkey ! 
stupid animal! headstrong creature!” said she, “I am 
going to teach you better, I’ll let you feel the weight of 
my stick.” 

And indeed, she beat me so I could scarcely reach the 
town. We arrived at last. All the baskets were lifted 
off my poor skinned back and placed on the ground. 
My mistress having tied me to a post, went to break- 
fast, whilst I, who was dying of hunger and thirst, got 
not a sprig of grass, or a drop of water. I found means 
of getting close to the vegetables during her absence and 
refreshed myself by filling my stomach with a basket of 
salad and cabbage. 1 had never eaten anything so good 
in my life, but just as I was finishing the last cabbage and 
the last salad, my mistress returned. She uttered a 
scream on seeing her basket empty ; I regarded her with 
such a satisfied insolent air, that she immediately recog- 


4 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


nized mo as the author of her loss, I shall not repeat 
to you the names she called me. She was very high- 
tempered, and when in a rage, she swore and said things 
that made mo blush, donkey as I am. Having loaded 
me with the most humiliating reproaches, to which I made 
no reply, except by licking my lips and turning my back 
upon her, she took her stick and began to beat me so 
cruelly, that I, at last, lost all patience, and launched at 
her three kicks, the first of which broke her nose and 



two teeth; the second, her wrist, and the third, striking 
her in the stomach, knocked her over. Twenty persons 
rushed upon me, overwhelming me with blows and vile 
words. They carried my mistress off, I know not where, 
and left me attached to the post, near which the market- 
ing I had brought was displayed. Here I remained 
a long time ; seeing that no one thought of me, I ate a 
second basket of excellent vegetables, and cutting with 
my teeth the cord that held me, I quietly took the road 
home. 

Every one I passed on the way seemed astonished at 
seeing me alone. 



THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


5 


“Look, there is a donkey with a broken strap! He 
has escaped,” said one. 

“ It must be a fugitive from the galleys,” said another. 
And they all began to laugh. 

“ He doesn’t carry a heavy load on his back,” remarked 
a third. 

“ Yery true,” exclaimed a youth, “ he has been at some 
mischief.” 



“ Catch him, husband,” said a woman, “let us put the 
little one in the saddle.” 

“He will carry you as well as the little boy,” replied 
the husband. 

Wishing to give them a good opinion of my gentleness 
and condescension, I very quietly approached the woman 
and stopped to let her mount. 

“ He doesn’t seem at all vicious,” said the man, helping 
his wife into the saddle. 


6 


TI1E ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I smiled with pity at hearing this. Vicious ! as if a 
donkey kindly treated was ever vicious! AVe become 
ill-tempered, disobedient, headstrong, only in retaliation 
for the blows and foul names heaped upon us. When 
properly treated, we are good natured — much better in 
this respect than other animals. 

I carried the wife and child home. The latter was a 
pretty little boy about two years old, who caressed me 
fondly, thought me charming, and wanted to keep me 
altogether. But I reflected that this would not be hon- 
est; my masters had bought me, I belonged to them. I 
had already revenged myself upon my mistress by break 
ing her nose, teeth and wrist, and giving her a good kick 
in the stomach. Seeing, then, that the mother would 
yield to the little boy, whom she spoiled (I soon perceived 
this whilst they were on my back), I jumped to one side, 
and before the mother could seize my bridle, was off in a 
gallop towards home. 

Mary, my master’s daughter, saw me first. 

“ Oh ! there is Cadichon. How early he has returned. 
Here, Edward, come take off his saddle.” 

“ Wicked creature,” said Edward, in an angry tone, 
“ one has always to be bothered with you. But why has he 
returned alone ? I’ll bet he has run away. Vile beast ! ” 
he added, kicking me on the leg, “ if I knew you had 
escaped, I would give you a hundred licks of the stick ! ” 

Once rid of my saddle and bridle, I went off galloping. 
Scarcely had I entered the pasture, when I heard loud 
cries proceeding from the house. Approaching the 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


7 


hedge, I saw that the farmer’s wife had been brought 
home, and I recognized the screams as those of the chil- 
dren. I listened most intently, and heard Edward say to 
his father : 

“ Father, I am going to tie him to a tree, and take the 
big wagon whip and beat him till he falls to the ground ! ” 

“ Yery well, my son, go, but do not kill him, for we 
would lose what he cost us. I shall sell him at the next 
fair.” 

I trembled with fright on hearing these words, and on 
seeing Edward run to the stable for the whip. There was 
no time for hesitation, and without any scruple now as 
to defrauding my owner of what he had paid for me, I 
ran towards the hedge separating me from the fields, and 
dashed against it with such force, that I broke the 
branches and made my way through. I ran at full speed 
through the field, and I continued to gallop a very long 
time, believing myself pursued. At last, unable to go 
farther, I stopped; I listened, but heard nothing. I 
mounted a slight eminence, I saw no one. Then I began 
to breathe freely, and rejoice at having delivered myself 
from these wicked farmers. 

But I now commenced to wonder what would become 
of me. If I remained where was I would be discovered, 
recognized and taken back to my master’s. What should 
I do ? where should 1 go ? 

I looked around, and finding myself solitary and 
unhappy, I was about to shed tears over my sad fate, 
when I perceived that I was on the edge of a magnificent 
woods, it was the forest of St. Evroult. 


8 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


" Wliat good luck ! ” I exclaimed, “ In this forest I 
shall find tender herbage, water, fresh moss; 1 shall 
remain here a few days, and then go to another forest, 
farther, much farther from my master’s farm.” 

I entered the forest; I ate with delight the tender 
grass and I drank the water from a beautiful spring. 
Towards night, I lay down on the moss at the foot of an 
old pine, and there slept peacefully till morning. 


II. 

THE PURSUIT. 

The next morning after eating and drinking, I thought 
over my happiness. 

“ Here,” said I, “ they can never find me, I am saved. 
In two days, however, when I shall have rested from my 
fatigue, I will go still farther.” 

Scarcely was this reflection finished, when I heard the 
distant barking of a dog, then of another, and in a few 
minutes I distinguished the sound of a whole pack of 
hounds. Anxious, and even somewhat frightened, I 
arose and went towards a little stream that I had noticed 
in the morning. Scarcely had I done so, ere I heard 
Edward saying to the dogs : 

“ Come, come, dogs, seek him well, find me this wicked 
donkey, bite him, tear his legs to pieces and bring him to 
me, that I may lay my whip on his back.” 



Jowards evening 1 two men entered the meadow.— (Page 11,) 








I 












THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


11 


I nearly sank to the ground from fright ; but suddenly 
remembering that I could throw the dogs off my track 
by walking in the water, I ran at once to the stream, 
which fortunately was bordered on both sides with very 
thick bushes. I walked a very long time without stop- 
ping ; the barking of the dogs died away in the distance, 
as well as the voice of the wicked Edward. 

Breathless and exhausted I stopped an instant to 
drink, and I ate a few leaves from the bushes. My legs 
Were stiff with cold, but I dared not quit the water, for 
fear the dogs might return and get upon my trail. When 
somewhat rested I began to run, following the stream 
all the while, until I was out of the forest. I then found 
myself in a vast meadow, where cows and oxen (over fifty 
in number) were pasturing. They took no notice of me, 
so I lay down in the sun to rest in a corner of the field. 
Towards evening two men entered the meadow. 

“ Brother,” said the tallest of the two, u shall we not 
bring up the cattle to night ? they say there are wolves 
in the woods.” 

“ Wolves ! who told you that nonsense ? ” 

“ The Aigle folks. They tell how a donkey from the 
hedge farm was carried oft* and devoured in the forest.” 

“ Bah ! let it go, the people of that farm are so cruel, 
they have beaten their donkey to death.” 

“ Why, then, would they^say the wolves devoured it? ’* 
“ Because it is not known that they killed it.” 

“ Even so, it would be better to bring in the cattle.’* 

“ Do as you wish, brother, I leave it to you.” 


12 


THE ADVENTURES OF A EONKEY. 


I did not stir in my corner, for fear of being discovered. 
The grass was high and concealed me entirely, the cattle 
did not pass near me, but were driven towards the gate 
and thence to their masters’ farm. 

I had no fear of wolves, for 1 was the very donkey of 
whom the men spoke ; and in the forest where I had 
passed the night, I had not seen even a wolf’s trail. So 
I slept delightfully, and was finishing my breakfast when 
the cattle re-entered the field, led by two big dogs. 

Whilst I was quietly looking at them, one of the dogs 
perceived me, and barking fiercely, ran at me, followed 
by his companion. What would become of me? how 
should I escape them ? I rushed against the fence enclos- 
ing the meadow ; the stream I had followed crossed the 
lot, and I was fortunate enough to clear this stream, also 
to hear the voice of one of the men I had seen the evening 
before, calling back his dogs. I quietly continued my 
walk until I had readied another forest, the name of 
which I did not know. I must now have been more than 
ten leagues from the hedge farm ; consequently 1 was 
safe, no one knew me, and I could show myself without 
fear of being taken back to my former owners. 


III. 

THE NEW MASTERS. 


I lived peacefully in tliis forest one month. Some- 
times I felt a little lonesome, but I preferred solitude to 
misery. I was then tolerably happy, when I began to 
perceive that the grass was getting scarce and dry, the 
leaves falling, the water freezing, the ground growing 
damp. 

“ Alas ! alas ! ” thought I, u what is to become of me ? 
If I stay here I shall perish of cold, of hunger and thirst, 
but where shall I go ? who is there that wants me ?” 

By dint of reflection, I devised a means of securing 
shelter. Leaving the forest, I went to a little village 
near by. There I saw a small, neat looking, isolated 
house, and a good woman seated at the door spinning. 
I was touched with her sad, gentle appearance ; I ap- 
proached her and put my head upon her shoulder. Much 
startled, the good woman uttered a scream and jumped 
Up from her chair. I did not stir, but regarded her with 
rt pitiful, supplicating air. 

“ Poor beast ! said she, at length, “ you do not look 
wicked. If ilo one owned you, I would be very milch 
pleased to have you supply the place of my poor old 
Orison, who died of* old age. I cduld then Continue to 
2 


14 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


make my living selling my vegetables at the market. 
But, no doubt, yon have a master,” she added, sighing. 

“ To whom are you talking, grandmother ? ” said a soft 
voice from the inside of the house. 

“ I am talking to a donkey that has come here and put 
his head on my shoulder, and he looks at me so pitifully 
that I haven’t the heart to drive him away.” 

“ Let me see ! let me see 1 ” answered the soft voice. 
And immediately there appeared on the threshold a 
handsome little boy six or seven years of age, neatly but 
poorly clad. He looked at me with a curious, half timid 
air. 

“ May I pet him, grandmother ? ” said he. 

“ Certainly, my George, but take care that he does 
not bite you.” 

The little boy extended his arm, and not being able to 
reach me, he advanced a step, then another, and began to 
smooth my back. 

I did not stir for fear of frightening him; I only 
turned my head towards him, and passed my tongue over 
his hand. 

“ Grandmother, grandmother, this poor donkey is so 
good-natured, he has licked my hand.” 

“ It is very strange that he should be alone. Where is 
his master ? Go, George, to the village inn, where 
travelers stop> and make inquiries about him. His mas- 
ter is probably worried about him.” 

“ Shall I take the donkey, grandmother ? ” 

“ He will not follow you ; let him go where he wishes.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


15 


George started off in a run; I trotted after him. 
When he saw that I followed, he came to me, and petting 
me, said: “ Say then, my pretty donkey, since you follow 
me, you will surely let me ride you.” And he mounted 
at once, exclaiming as he did so, “ get up ! ” I went off in 
a little gallop, which enchanted him. “ Ho ! ho I ” said 
he before the inn, I stopped immediately, and George 
dismounted. I remained opposite the door, not stirring 
any more than if I had been tied. 

“ What is it, my boy ? ” said the inn-keeper. 

“ I came to know, Mr. Duval, if this donkey at the door 
belongs to you or any of your customers ? ” 

Mr. Duval came to the door and regarded me attent- 
ively. “ Ho, my boy,’* said he, “ it is not mine, nor that 
of any one I know. You will have to inquire further.” 

George remounted, and setting off again in a gallop, 
we went from house to house, inquiring for my owner. 
Ho one kne’w me, and we returned to the good grand- 
mother, who was still sitting in the door spinning. 

“ Grandmother, the donkey belongs to no one about 
here. What are we to do with him ? He keeps close to 
me, but he jumps away when anybody else tries to touch 
him.” 

“ In that case, my George, we must not let him stay 
out doors all night; something might happen to him. 
Lead him to our poor Grison’s stable, give him a bundle 
of hay and a bucket of water. We can take him to 
market to-morrow, and perhaps we may find his master.” 

“ And if we do not find him, grandmother? ” 


16 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“We will keep the donkey till some one claims him. 
We could not let the poor beast perish of cold this winter, 
or fall into the hands of wicked people who would beat 
him, or cause his death from fatigue and hard treatment.” 

After giving me food and water, George caressed me 
and went out, saying, as he shut the door : 

4< How I hope he has no master, so he may stay with us.” 

Hext day, having given me my breakfast, George put 
a halter on my neck and led me up to the door; the 
grandmother next placed a very light pack-saddle on my 
back and seated herself upon it. George then brought 
a little basket of vegetables, which she took upon her 
knees, and we set out for the market of Mamers. The 
good woman sold her vegetables at a fair price, no one 
recognized me, and I returned with my new mistress. 

I lived* there four years; I was happy, injuring no one 
and making myself very useful, for I loved my little 
master, who never beat me, never worked me to death and 
always fed me well. However, I was no glutton ; in 
summer, remnants of Vegetables and the herbs which 
neither the horses nor cows ate; in winter a little hay 
and the skins of potatoes, carrots and turnips, satisfied 
my wants, as is the case with other donkeys. 

There were some days I did not enjoy, those on which 
my mistress hired me to the children in the neighbor- 
hood. Being poor, and not always having enough work 
to keep me busy, she was very glad to make a little some- 
thing by hiring me to the children of the castle near by. 

They were not always good children. 

Listen to what happened on one of these excursions. 


IV. 

THE BRIDGE. 

There were six donkeys drawn up in tlie yard; I was 
one of the handsomest and strongest of the number. 
Three little girls brought us oats in a bucket. Whilst 
eating I listened to the children’s conversation. 

“ Come ” said Charles/ 1 let us choose our donkeys, as for 
myself, I take that one,” pointing to me with his finger. 

“ You always take the best,” answered the five children 
at once, “ we must draw lots.” 

“ How do you wish us to draw lots, Caroline,” replied 
Charles, “ do we put the donkeys in a bag and draw them 
out as one does balls \ ” 

“Ah! ah! ah!” said Francis, “what an idiot, with 
his donkeys in a bag ! As if one could not number them 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, G, put the numbers in a bag, and let eacli 
draw his number.” 

“ So we can ” cried the five others, “ Ernest set down 
the numbers, while we write them on the donkey’s backs. 

These children are dunces, said I to myself. If they 
had the sense of a donkey, instead of tiring themselves 
writing numbers on our backs, they would simply arrange 
us along the wall, the first would be 1, the second, 2, and 
so on for the rest. 

( 17 ) 


18 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


Meanwhile, Francis had brought a big piece of coal. 
I was the first, so he made an enormous 1 on my back ; 
whilst he wrote 2 on that of my comrade, I gave myself 
a vigorous shake, to convince him that his invention was 
not a famous one. Behold, the particles of coal flew off 
and the 1 disappeared. “You dunce !” cried he, “I 
must commence over.” Whilst he re-wrote his number 
1, my comrade that had perceived my doings, and was 
also mischievous, shook himself in turn. Behold the 2 
disappear. Francis began to get angry; the others 
laughed and mocked him. I made a sign to my com- 
rades and we let him number us, no one budged. Ernest 
returned with the numbers in his handkerchief ; each one 
drew. Whilst they were looking at what they had drawn 
I made another sign to my comrades, and we all shook 
ourselves worse than ever. More coal, more numbers, it 
must be commenced over, the children were enraged. 

_ Charles was triumphant and giggled ; Ernest, Albert, 
Caroline, Cecilia and Louisa were indignant at Francis, 
who in turn, stamped his foot, my comrades and I began 
to bray. The noise attracted the papas and mamas. 
The cause was explained to them and one of the papas 
suggested the plan of arranging us along the wall. He 
made the children draw their numbers. 

“ One ! ” cried Ernest. It was myself. 

“ Two ! ” cried Cecilia. It was one of my friends. 

“ Three, cried Francis, and so on to the last. 

“ Let us start now,” said Charles, “ I go first.” 

“ Oh ! I shall soon overtake you,” replied Ernest with 
animation. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DCNXEY. 


19 


“ I bet not.” 

“ I bet I shall.” 

Charles taps his donkey, which sets off at a gallop. 
Before Ernest has time to touch me with a whip, I start 
also, and at such a pace that Charles is speedily over- 
taken. Ernest is delighted, Charles is furious. He taps 
and keeps tapping his donkey. Ernest has no need to 
tap me ; I run, I fly like the wind. I pass Charles in a 
minute, and I hear the others who follow, laughing, and 
crying out : 

“ Bravo ! donkey number 1, bravo ! he runs like a 
horse.” 

Self love gives me courage ; I continue to gallop until 
we reach a bridge. I stop suddenly, for I have just per- 
ceived that a large plank in the bridge is rotten ; I do 
not wish to fall in the water with Ernest, but to return 
to the others who are far, far behind us. 

“ Ho there ! ho there ! donkey,” said Ernest to me, 
“ On the bridge, donkey, on the bridge.” 

I resist, he gives me a touch with the switch. 

I still continue to walk towards the others. 

i( Headstrong thing ! stupid brute ! will you turn and 
pass the bridge ? ” 

I walk on towards my comrades and rejoin them, in 
spite of this wicked boy’s cross words and blows. 

“ Why do you beat your donkey, Ernest ? ” cries Caro- 
line, “ he is excellent, he went flying and you overtook 
Charles.” 

“ I beat him to make him go over the bridge, he is 
determined to turn back.” 


20 


THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


“All ! bah ! because lie was alone ; now that we are 
all together he will pass the bridge like the rest.” 

“ Unfortunate creatures ! ” think I, “ they are all going 
to fall into the river. I must try to convince them of 
the danger.” 

And I set off in a gallop towards the bridge, to Ernest’s 
great satisfaction and amidst cries of joy from the other 
children. 

I gallop up to the bridge; reaching it, I stop suddenly 
as if afraid, Ernest astonished, urges me on, I recoil with 
an air of fright that surprises Ernest still more. Silly 
boy! he sees nothing though the rotten board is in full 
view. The others rejoin him, and enjoy tiie spectacle of 
his efforts to make me go across and mine not to do so. 
-At last the whole party dismount from their donkeys, 
each one pushing and beating me mercilessly, still I budge 
not. 

“ Pull him by the tail,” cries Charles, “ donkeys are so 
headstrong that if you want to make them go one way, 
they are sure to go the other.” 

Behold them seize me by the tail. I defend myself 
with a kick ; they all beat me at once, and yet I will not 
move an inch. 

“ Wait Ernest,”' says Charles, “let me go first and he 
will certainly follow.” 

He tries to advance, to prevent him I place myself 
crosswise before the bridge, but by dint of blows he 
makes me fall back. 

“ Well,” said 1 to myself, “ I’ll give up, if this bad boy 


A pole! a pole!” he cried.— (Page 23.) 



























































































r* * 

































. . 
















* 




• ■ * 














• . * 

f- 1 

• ■ 

. 

> tr. ‘ . * 

1 ' ♦ t 






> 





; - 































«* 





















14 





















% • • 


V 

















► . 


THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


23 


wants to be drowned, let liim be, I have done my best to 
save him; since he is so determined, let him taste a 
draught.” 

Scarcely had his donkey touched the rotten plank, ere 
it gave way, and both rider and animal were thrown into 
the water. There was no danger for my comrade, as like 
the rest of his race, he knew how to swim, but Charles 
struggled and screamed without the power of extricating 
himself. 

“A pole ! a pole ! ” he cried. 

The Children ran in every direction, at last Caroline 
found a long pole, which she hastily held out to him ; he 
seized it, but his weight was dragging her in, and she 
called for help. Ernest, Francis and Albert ran to her. 
At length, with a great deal of difficulty, they succeeded 
in drawing to land the unhappy Charles, who had drank 
more than he relished, and who was wet from head to 
foot. When assured of his safety, they all began to laugh 
at his piteous plight; Charles got angry, they jumped 
upon their donkeys, and with bursts of laughter advised 
him to return to the house and change his clothes. Wet 
as he was, he mounted his donkey. I laughed in my 
sleeve at his ridiculous figure, the current had carried 
away his hat and shoes, the water was running off him 
to the ground, his dripping hair clung to him, and his 
countenance was furious — altogether he was a most ludi- 
crous picture. The children laughed, my comrades 
pranced and ran to express their delight. 

I ought to add that Charles’ donkey was detested by 


( M THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

the rest of us, because he was quarrelsome, gluttonous 
and stupid, qualities very rare among us. 

At length Charles disappeared, and both children and 
donkeys became more quiet. Every one caressed me and 
admired my spirit, and we all started off again, I at the 
head of the band. 


V. 

THE CEMETERY. 

We went at a brisk pace; and soon approached the 
village cemetery, which is about a league from the castle. 
“Suppose we turn back and take the forest road,” said 
Caroline. 

“ Why ? ” asked Cecilia. 

“ Because I do not like cemeteries.” 

“ Why do you not like them,” replied Cecilia with an 
air of derision. “Are you afraid you will not get aw T ay ? ” 

“ No, but I think of the poor people who are buried 
there, and it makes me sad.” 

The children ridiculed Caroline and rode directly past 
the wall. They were just about to keep on, when Caro- 
line, w T ho seemed disquieted, stopped her donkey, leaped 
off, and ran to the cemetery gate. 

“ What are you doing, Caroline, wdiere are you going ? ” 
exclaimed the others. 

Caroline did not answer, but hurriedly pushing open 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY- 


25 


the gate, she onterod tho cemetery, looked all around her, 
and ran towards a freshly made grave. 

Ernest, who had anxiously followed, had caught up 
with her, at the moment when bending over the grave, 
she lifted up a poor little hoy, of about three years, 
whose moans had attracted her attention. 



“ What is tho matter, my poor little one ? Why are 
you crying ? ” 

The child could not answer for his sobs. 

“ Why are you here alone ? ” said Caroline again, 
noticing the child’s beauty and miserable clothing. 

3 


26 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ They left me here, I am hungry,” he answered sob- 
bing. 

“ Who left you here ? ” 

“ The black men, I am hungry,” was the answer 
accompanied with another sob. 

“ Ernest,” said Caroline, “ run, and get our lunch, 
quick; we must give this poor little fellow something to 
eat ; he will tell us afterwards why he weeps, and why 
he is here.” 

Ernest ran to get the basket of provisions, whilst Caro- 
line endeavored to console the child. In a few minutes 
Ernest re-appeared, followed by the whole band, whom 
curiosity had attracted to tho spot. They gave the child 
some cold chicken and some bread soaked in wine. As 
he eat, his tears ceased to flow, his countenance became 
smiling. When he had eaten heartily, Caroline again 
asked him why he was lying on this grave. 

“ Because they have put grandmother here. I want to 
wait till she comes back.” 

“ Where is your papa ? ” 

“ I can’t tell, I dont know him.” 

“And your mama!” 

“ I don’t know, black men carried her off as they did 
grandmother.” 

“ But who takes care of you ? ” 

“ Ho one.” 

“ Who feeds you ? ” 

“ Hobody, I suck nurse.” 

“ Where is your nurse ? ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


27 


“ Down there at the house.” 

" What does she do ? ” 

“ She walks, and she eats grass.” 

“ Grass ? ” 

Here all. the children looked at one another with sur- 
prise. 

“ Is she silly ? ” said Cecilia in an undertone. 

“ He does not know what he is saying,” replied Fran- 
cis, “ he is too little.” 

“ Why,” continued Caroline, “ does not your nurse 
take you home ? ” 

“ She can’t, she has no arms.” 

The children’s surprise increased. 

“ How then can she carry you ? ” 

" I get on her hack.” 

“ Do you sleep with her ? ” 

“ Oh ! no, I could not do that,” said the child smiling. 

“ Where then does she sleep ? Hasn’t she a bed ? ” 

The child began to laugh as he answered. 

“ Oh ! no, she sleeps on straw.” 

“ What does he mean ” said Ernest, “ let us ask him to 
take us to the house, we shall see his nurse, and she can 
explain matters.” 

“I must confess, it is all a mystery to me,” said 
Francis. 

“ Will you go back to your home, my little one ? ” 
asked Caroline. 

“ Yes, but not all alone ; I am afraid of the black men, 
grandma’s room w T as full of them.” 


28 


tiie Adventures of a donkey. 


“We will all go with yon, you must show us the 
way.” 

Caroline re-mounted her donkey, and took the little 
hoy upon her lap. He showed us the way, and in five 
minutes we all reached the cabin of mother Thibaut, who 
died the evening previous and was buried that morning. 
The child ran to the house and called out “ Nurse ! 
Nurse ! ” Immediately a goat bounded out of the open 
stable, and darting towards the child, testified its joy at 
his return by a thousand gambols and caresses. The 
child likewise fondled it, and then said “ Suck Nurse.” 
The goat immediately lay down on the ground, the little 
boy stretched himself near her, and began to suck as if 
he had neither eaten nor drunk. 

“ There, the nurse is explained,” said Ernest, at last, 
“ What shall we do with this child ? 

“ We have nothing to do with him, except leave him 
with his nurse,” said Francis. 

The others cried out with indignation. 

“ It would be wrong,” answered Caroline, “ to abandon 
this poor little one, he might soon die for want of care.” 

“ What do you wish to do with him,” said Francis, 
“ are you going to take him home with you ? ” 

“ Certainly ; I shall ask mama to keep him at the house 
whilst she makes inquiries as to who he is, and whether 
he has any relatives or not.” 

“And our donkey party, are we to give that up and all 
return ? ” 

“No, Ernest will be kind enough to accompany me, 


The little boy stretched himself near the goat.— (Page 28.) 



3* 


(29) 





THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


31 


and the rest of you can continue your excursion, there 
will still be four, so you can well do without Ernest and 
me.” 

“She is right,” said Francis, “ let us mount and con- 
tinue our ride.” 

And they departed, leaving the kind Caroline with 
her cousin Ernest. 

“ How fortunate it is they tried to tease me by passing 
so near the cemetery ! ” said she, “ but for that, I would 
not have heard this poor child, and he would have spent 
the entire night on the cold, damp ground.” 

It was I whom Ernest mounted. With my usual intel- 
ligence, comprehending that we must reach the castle as 
promptly as possible, I set off at a gallop, my comrade 
followed, and we were there in half an hour. The family 
was startled at our unexpectedly early return. Caro- 
line recounted her adventure with the child. Her mama 
was puzzled as to what arrangements could be made for 
him, when the porter’s wife offered to raise him with her 
son, who was about the same age. The offer was accepted. 
On sending to the village to make inquiries concern- 
ing his name and parentage, Caroline’s mama learned 
that his father had been dead a year, his mother six 
months ; the child had been living with a wicked, miserly 
old grandmother, who had just died the day before, that 
following the coffin to the cemetery, he had been forgot- 
ten and left there ; moreover, that he was not poor, the 
grandmother having been in comfortable Oircumstances. 
The porter’s Wife raised him well, aild lie became a line 


32 


THE AE VENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


fellow. I know him, his name is John Thibaut, he is 
always kind to animals, which proves his good heart, and 
he is very fond of me, which proves his sense. 

The good goat was also brought to the porter’s and 
found a home there. 


VI. 

THE HIDING PLACE. 

I have already said that I was happy, but my happi- 
ness was soon to end. George’s father was a soldier 
and when he returned to his country, bringing the money 
his dying captain had left him, and the cross given him 
by his general, he bought a house at Mamers, to which 
he removed his old mother and little son, and sold me to 
a neighboring farmer. I was very sad at leaving my 
good, old mistress and my little master George; both 
had been kind to me and I had been faithful to them. 

My new owner was not unkind, but he had a foolish 
fancy for making everything about him work, and myself 
among the number. He used to harness me to a little 
cart and make me haul earth, manure, apples, wood, 
I commenced to grow lazy, I did not like to be harnessed, 
and market day 1 especially detested, not that they 
loaded me too heavily or beat me, but because I had to 
stand without eating from the morning, till three or four 
o’clock in the afternoon. When the heat was great, I 



Cadichon’s master says good-by to his friends.— (Page 35.) 
















, . r 




















*.* 



« 

•» •• 

m 






t . 















*T • * \ 


v i 






» .* 


























'*• a, 

' ■*' r *» -w 

- \T»- * 













-* 












’ * • * 























* » 

t 




l ■ • 




l 

r% 












: 


































- 


















































.•* 




* 

* 








5 . .• 




* • « 

.* • . . • " . 

•v 

; , 

•A, 








\ yf 
































• - • 




* 

















•T 






• ' 
A 






r.- 1 - 



































•' 

- 














































































































































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


35 


nearly died of thirst, waiting till everything was sold, 
till my master had received his money and said good day 
to his friends, with whom he must also take a glass. 

I was not very good in those days ; I wanted fair treat- 
ment, if denied me I sought revenge. Here is one of my 
tricks, from which you will perceive not only that don- 
keys are not stupid, but also that I had become very bad. 

On market day the family arose earlier than usual — 
the vegetables were to be gathered, the butter churned, 
the eggs collected. In summer, sleeping out-doors in a 
large meadow, I saw and heard these preparations, and 
knew that at ten o’clock, they would come to har- 
ness me to the little cart filled with all their market- 
able produce. I have already said how tiresome and try- 
ing this market was to me, so having noticed in the 
meadow a large ditch filled with briers and brambles, 
here I determined if possible, to conceal myself in such 
a manner that no one could find me at the moment of 
departure. Market day arrived; as soon as I saw the 
farm folks beginning to move about, I very gently de- 
scended into the ditch, and there buried myself so com- 
pletely, that discovery was almost impossible. I had been 
there an hour hid away amongst the briers, when I heard 
the boy calling me, running in every direction to find me, 
and at last returning to the farm-house. Doubtless he 
had apprised the master of my disappearance, for in a 
few minutes I heard the farmer’s voice calling his wife 
and all the other farm folks to come help find me. 

“ He must have got through the hedge,” said one. 


36 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ How could he have got through, there is no break 
anywhere,” replied the other. 

“ Some one has left the gate open,” said the master. 
“ Eun into the fields boys, he cannot be far ; go quick, 
and bring him, for time passes, and we shall be too late.” 

Every one started off into the fields or the woods, run- 
ning and calling me. I laughed to myself down in the 
hole, and took good care not to make my appearance. 
After the lapse of an hour, they all returned breathless 
and panting, from a fruitless search. 

The master having sworn at me, and said no doubt I 
had been taken, put one of his horses to the cart, and 
drove off in a very bad humor. When I saw that all 
returned to their work, and no one could see me, lifting 
up my head very cautiously, I looked around. Finding 
myself alone, I suddenly emerged from the ditch, and 
running to the other end of the field, to mislead their 
suspicions as to where I had been, I began to bray with 
all my strength. 

At this noise every one on the farm ran. 

<s Here ho is come back,” cried the shepherd. 

u Which way did he come ? ” said the mistress. 

“ Which way did ho go ? ” replied the wagoner. 

In my joy at having escaped the market, I ran to 
them. They were delighted to see me, caressed me, said 
I was a good creature to have escaped from the thieves, 
and paid me so many compliments that I was ashamed, 
knowing full well how much more deserving I was of the 
stick than caresses. They let me graze quietly, and I 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


37 


should have passed a charming day, had not my con- 
science reproached me for having deceived my poor 
master. 

When the farmer came home and learned of my re- 
turn, he was well pleased, but very much surprised. 
Next day he went all around the meadow, and carefully 
repaired even the slightest breach in the hedge. 

“ The donkey will be very smart to escape now,” said 
he, on finishing. I have stopped even the smallest holes 
with stakes and brambles ; there is not room enough for 
a cat to get through.” 

The week passed quietly, my adventure was no longer 
thought of. But the next market day I repeated the 
wicked trick, and again concealed myself in the ditch, for 
so doing saved me so much fatigue and weariness. As be- 
fore, they sought me every where ; their astonishment was 
greater than ever, they were now fully convinced that a 
skillful thief had carried me off by letting me through 
the gate. 

“ This time,” said my master sadly, “ ho is certainly 
lost. He will not be able to escape again, and even if he 
should, he could not get into the meadow, for I have re- 
paired the breaches in the hedge too carefully.” 

He went off sighing, and one of the horses again took 
my place in the cart. As on the preceding occasion, I 
emerged from my hiding place when everybody had got 
out of the way, but I was prudent enough not to an- 
nounce my appearance with a hi lian ! as before. 

When they found me quietly eating grass in the field, 

4 


38 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


and my master learned that I had returned a short time 
after his departure, I saw that they had suspected me of 
some trick, for no one paid me any compliments, every- 
one eyed me with distrust, and I fully perceived that 
they watched me more closely than before. I laughed 
in my sleeve at them and said to myself. 

“ Good friends, you will bo very sharp if you discover 
the trick I have played on you ; I am smarter than you, 
and I intend to keep the game up.” # 

So I concealed myself a third time, very well pleased 
with my cunning. But scarcely was I stowed away in 
the ditch, ere I heard the furious barking of the big watch 
dog, and the voice of my master, saying : 

“ Seize him Caesar, seize him ; go down into the ditch, 
bite his legs, bring him ! bravo my dog ! seize him, seize 
him ! ” 

Caesar indeed darted down, he bit my legs, my body, 
and he would have devoured me, had I not decided to 
leave that ditch. I was about to run towards the hedge, 
and try forcing a passage through, when the farmer wiio 
was waiting for me, threw a slip-knot over my head and 
brought me to a stand. He was armed with a whip and 
he made me feel it most sensibly ; the dog continued to 
bite, the master to beat me, and I repented bitterly of 
my idleness. At last the farmer called Caesar off, put 
up his whip, exchanged the slip knot around my neck for 
a halter, and led me all mortified and beaten unmerci- 
fully, to the little cart which was in readiness for me. 

I learned afterwards that one of the children, who had 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A LON KEY. 


‘39 


been stationed near tlie gate, to open it if I returned, 
had perceived me coming out of the ditch, and had car- 
ried the news to his father. The little traitor ! 

For a long time after, until my troubles and sad expe- 
rience had taught me better, I wished all manner of evil 
to him. 

From that day 1 was treated more severely. They 
wdshed to keep me shut up, but I found means of open- 
ing all the fastenings with my teeth ; if a latch, I lifted 
it ; if a button, I turned it ; if a bolt, I pushed it aside. 
I w T ent just where I pleased. The farmer swore, scolded 
and beat me ; he became harder on me, and I got to be 
worse and worse to manage. I felt that I had brought 
all this unhappiness on myself. I compared my present 
miserable life with that I had formerly led among the 
same people ; but instead of reforming me, the reflexion 
made me only more head-strong and vicious. One day I 
went into the kitchen garden and eat all the salad ; 
another day I knocked down the little boy who had 
betrayed me ; another time, I drank a tub of cream they 
had placed out to be churned. I tramped on their 
chickens and young turkeys, I bit their pigs ; in fine, I 
got so unmanageable that the mistress at last asked her 
husband to sell me at the fair at Mamers, w T hich was to 
take place in fifteen days. I had become a very thin, 
miserable looking object, by reason of blows and poor 
nourishment. But now, wishing to put me in a good 
condition, (as the farmers say,) that I might sell to ad van = 
tage, everyone on the farm was forbidden to maltreat 


4:0 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


me. I was released from work and was well fed. Very 
happy indeed was I during those fifteen days. My mas- 
ter, at the expiration of that time, took me to the fair 
and sold me for a hundred francs. I longed to give him 
a good bite at parting, but fearing such an act might 
make a bad impression on my new owner, I contented 
myself with turning my back upon him with a gesture 
of contempt. 


VII. 

THE LOCKET. 

I had been bought by the parents of a delicate little 
girl, aged about twelve years, who living in the country 
and having no friends of her own age, was greatly in 
need of diversion, for the father devoted very little time 
to her, and the mother, though fond of her child, was so 
jealous, she could not bear to see her attached to anything 
but herself, not even animals. The physician having pre- 
scribed recreation of some kind, the mother decided upon 
donkey rides. My little mistress was named Pauline; 
she was a very kind, gentle, pretty child, of a sad, quiet 
disposition. She was often sick, but every day when not 
unwell, she went riding, and it was my delight to show 
her the prettiest paths and woods I knew. At first, 
we were always accompanied by a domestic, but when 
everyone saw what good care I took of her, we were 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 41 

allowed to go alone. It was slie who called me Cadichon, 
which name I have ever retained. 

“ Go, take a stroll with Cadichon,” the father would 
say, “ there is no danger with a donkey like that, lie has 
the intelligence of a man, and he will always bring you 
safe home.” 

So we would go out together. When my little mis- 
tress got tired of walking, I used to stand near a slight 
elevation, or rather descend into a hollow, that she might 
mount the more easily. I would also lead her up to hazel 
trees filled with nuts, and stop to let her gather them. 
She loved me much, and expressed it by kind attentions 
and caresses. When bad weather prevented our prome- 
nades, she would come to the stable, bringing me bread, 
fresh grass, salad leaves, carrots ; she would stay a long 
time, a very long time; and talking tome, though believ : 
ing that I did not understand her, she would tell me all 
her little troubles, often with tears. 

u Oh ! my poor Cadichon,” she would say, “ you are 
a donkey, and you cannot understand me, yet you are 
my only friend, for it is only to you I can say all I think. 
Mama loves me, but she is jealous, she wants me to love 
nothing but herself. I have no childish friends, and I 
am so lonesome.” 

And then she would weep and caress me. I loved her 
too, and I pitied the poor little thing. When she was 
near me, I was very careful not to move, for fear of 
tramping on her. 

4 * 


42 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


One day she came running towards me in the greatest 
delight. 

“Cadichon, Cadichon,” she cried, “ mama has given 
me a locket with her hair ; I am going to mix some of 
yours with it, for you too are dear to me, and I shall then 
have the hair of the two I love best in the world.” 

She cut off a little of my mane and put it in the 
locket w T ith her mother’s hair. 

It made me happy to see how much Pauline loved me 
and I was proud of having my hair in a locket, but I 
must confess the effect was not very pretty ; coarse, stiff 
and grey as my mane was, it made her mother’s tress look 
frightful. Pauline never perceived this, and she was 
turning her locket in every direction, and admiring it 
extravagantly, when her mother entered. 

“ What are you looking at,” said the mother. 

“ My locket mama,” answered Pauline concealing it 
somewhat. 

“ Why did you bring it here ? ” 

“ To show it to Cadiclion.” 

“ What foolishness ! Indeed Pauline, you are losing 
your head with Cadichon ! as if he could understand 
anything about a locket with hair ! ” 

“ I assure you, mama, he understands very well, he 
licked my hand when — when — ” 

Here Pauline blushed and was silent. 

“ Well, why do you not finish \ What made Cadichon 
lick your hand ? ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 43 

“ Mama, I would rather not tell you, I am afraid you 
will scold me,” said Pauline, much embarrassed. 

“ What is it, at once ? ” replied her mother impatiently. 
“ Speak, what nonsense have you been at now ? ” 

“ It is not nonsense, mama, on the contrary — ” 

“ Then why are you afraid to tell me ? I suppose you 
have been giving Cadichon oats to make him sick.” 

“ No, I have given him nothing, on the contrary — ” 

“On the contrary? You provoke me, Pauline — now 
listen to me, I wish to know what you have been doing 
here for the last hour nearly.” 

And indeed the arrangement of my hair in the locket 
had been rather a long process ; it was necessary to take 
off the paper back of the locket, remove the glass, insert 
the memento of myself, and then put the whole together 
again. 

Pauline still hesitated, at last, she said in a very low 
tone and with great embarrassment. 

“ I cut a little of Cadichon’s mane to — ” 

“ To what ? ” said her mother impatiently, “ finish now, 
you cut it for what ? ” 

“ To put it in the locket,” was the very low answer. 

“ In what locket ? ” said her mother angrily. 

“ In the one you gave me.” 

“ In that I gave you with my hair ! ” replied the 
mother with increasing anger. And what have you done 
with my hair ? ” 

46 It is still there, see,” said poor Pauline, displaying 
the locket. 


44 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ My hair mixed with a donkey’s mane ! ” exclaimed 
the mother in a rage. “Ah ! it is too much ! You do 
not deserve the present I gave you ! To class me with a 
donkey ! To express the same affection for a donkey as 
for me ! ” 

And snatching the locket from the hands of the unfor- 
tunate, stupefied Pauline, she dashed it to the ground, 



trampled it under foot and broke it into a thousand 
pieces. Then without noticing her daughter, she left the 
stable, slamming the door violently. 

Pauline surprised and frightened at this outburst of 
temper, was motionless an instant, then breaking into 
sobs, and throwing herself upon my neck, she exclaimed 
passionately: 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


45 


“ Cadichon, Cadichon, you see how I am treated ! 
They do not want me to love you, but I will love you in 
spite of them, and more than them, because you are good 
to me — you never scold me, you never grieve me, and 
you always try to amuse me in our promenades. Alas ! 
Cadiclion, how unfortunate that you can neither under- 
stand me nor talk to me. Oh ! what I would tell you ! ” 
Pauline was silent, she threw herself on the ground 
and continued to weep gently. I was touched and dis- 
tressed at her grief, but I could not console her or even 
let her know that I understood her. I felt enraged at 
this mother, who through stupid or excessive affection, 
could render her child so unhappy. Had it been in my 
power, I would have told her of the grief she caused 
Pauline, and the injury it did her already delicate health, 
but Alas ! I could not speak. I could do nothing but 
look sadly on at the poor child’s flowing tears. 

Scarcely a quarter of an hour had elapsed since her 
mother’s leaving the stable, when a servant opened the 
door and called Pauline. 

“ Madamoiselle,” said she, “ your mama has sent for 
you, she does not wish you to stay in the stable with 
Cadichon, or even to come here at all.” 

“ Cadichon, my poor Cadichon ! ” exclaimed Pauline, 
K they do not wish me to see you any more ! ” 

u Only when you go out riding, Mademoiselle, your 
mama says, the place for you is in the parlor, not in the 
stable.” 

Pauline made no answer ; she knew her mother exacted 


46 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


obedience, but embracing me again, and I felt lier tears 
on my neck as she did so, she left the stable to return no 
more. 

From that time Pauline became sadder and more deli- 
cate, she coughed, she grew pale and thin. The bad 
weather rendered our promenades shorter and less fre- 
quent. When we did go however, I was brought up to 
the castle steps, Pauline mounted without saying one 
word to me, or taking any notice of me, but as soon as 
we were out of sight, she jumped off, caressed me, and 
relieved her heart by recounting her daily troubles and 
griefs, though still thinking I could not understand her. 
It was thus I learned her mama’s continued displeasure 
since that affair of the locket, how Pauline’s life was 
sadder and more irksome than ever, and how the malady 
from which she suffered was becoming graver every day. 


VIII. 

THE FIRE. 

Just as I had gone to sleep one evening, I was awakened 
by cries of “ fire ! fire ! ” Startled and terrified I endeav- 
ored to rid myself of the leather strap that held me fast, 
but in vain did I pull at it, and roll on the ground, the 
strap would not break. At last the happy idea occurred 
to me of cutting it with my teeth, and this I succeeded 
in doing after several efforts. My poor stable was lighted 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


47 


up with the reflexion of the fire ; the cries, the noise 
increased; I heard the lamentations of the servants, the 
crash of falling walls, the giving way of floors, the roar- 
ing of flames ; the smoke had already reached my stable, 
and no one thought of me, no one had had charity enough 
just to open my door and let me out. The flames 
increased in violence, already I began to experience a 
feeling of great heat and suffocation. 

“ It is all over for me,” said I, “ I am condemned to be 
burned alive ! what a frightful death ! Oh ! Pauline, my 
dear mistress, you have forgotten your poor Cadichon ! ” 

Scarcely had I, not pronounced, but thought these 
words, when my door was opened violently, and I heard 
the terrified voice of Pauline calling me. Happy at 
being saved, I darted towards her, and we were just on- 
the threshold, when a frightful crash made us recoil. A 
building directly opposite my stable had tumbled down, 
and every passage was choked up with the ruins; my 
poor mistress must now perish for having attempted to 
save me ! We were nearly suffocated with the smoke, the 
dust of the fallen building, and the heat. Pauline 
dropped down beside me. Suddenly, I took a dangerous 
resolution, but the only one that could save us. Seizing 
my little mistress’s dress in my teeth, she being partly 
unconscious from fright, I darted across the burning 
beams that strewed the ground. Being fortunate enough 
to get through without her clothing taking fire, I now 
stopped to see whither I must direct my steps ; every- 
thing around us was in flames. Discouraged and almost 


48 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


in despair, I was going to lay Pauline, now utterly uncon- 
scious, on the ground, when perceiving an open cave ; I 
rushed in, (knowing full well that in one of these vaults 
under the castle we were in absolute safety,) and I laid 
Pauline near a tub of water, so that she could bathe her 
forehead and temples on awaking from her swoon. It did 
not last very long, and when she awoke to consciousness 
and found herself out of danger, she threw herself upon her 
knees, and in a touching prayer thanked God for having 
so mercifully preserved her. Then, after thanking me 
with a tenderness and gratitude quite affecting, she drank 
a few mouthfuls of water from the tub and listened. 
The fire continued its ravages, everything was burning ; 
we still heard a few voices, but so indistinctly that we 
could not recognize them. 

“ Poor mama and papa ! ” said Pauline, “ they think I 
have perished in disobeying them, by going to Cadichon’s 
rescue. We must now wait till the fire is extinguished. 
No doubt, we shall spend the night in the vault. “ Good 
Cadichon ! ” she added, “ I owe my life to you.” 

She said no more, but took her seat on an upturned 
chest, and leaning her head upon an empty barrel, was 
soon asleep. I felt tired and hungry, so I drank from 
the tub, and stretching myself out near the door, I was not 
long in following her example. 

I awoke very early. Pauline still slept. I arose softly 
and went to the door, which 1 opened ; everything was 
burned and the flames extinguished, and I saw that one 
could easily pick his way through the ruins to the castle 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


49 


yard, I gave a light hi ! lian ! to awaken my mistress, 
who opened her eyes, and seeing me near the door, she 
ran towards it and gazed around her. 

“ All burned up ! all gone ! ” said she sadly, “I shall 
never see the castle any more. I shall be dead before it 
is rebuilt, I feel it; I am weak and sick, very sick, 
although mama says — 

“ Come, my Cadichon,” she continued after remaining 
pensive and motionless for a few minutes, “ come, let us 
go now, I must find mama and papa to console them, 
they think me dead.” 

She lightly threaded her way among the fallen stones, 
the crumbled walls, the still smoking beams. I followed 
her, and we soon reached the lawn, where she got on my 
back. Directing my steps towards the village, we lost 
no time in finding the house where her parents had taken 
refuge. Believing their child lost, they were plunged in 
the deepest affliction. 

At sight of her, they uttered an exclamation of joy 
and rushed out to clasp her in their arms. She recounted 
to them with what intelligence and courage I had saved 
her life ; but instead of thanking and caressing me, the 
mother surveyed me with an air of indifference, and the 
father never deigned to look at me at all. 

“ He nearly caused your death, my poor child,” said 
the mother. “ If you had not been so foolish as to think 
of opening the stable, and setting him at liberty, your 
father and 1 would not have passed such a night of deso- 
lation.” 


5 


50 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ But,” said Pauline earnestly, “ it is he who — ” 

“Hush, hush,” replied the mother interrupting her, 
“ say no more to me about this animal which I detest, 
for he has almost caused your death.” 

Pauline sighed, looked sorrowfully at me and was 
silent. 

From that day I never saw her more. The terrible 
fright, the fatigue of a night passed out of bed, but espe- 
cially the low temperature of the vault, all increased the 
disease from which she had suffered a long time. In the 
morning she was taken with a fever that never left her. 
The chill of the preceding night finished what sadness 
and weariness had commenced ; her chest already weak, 
could not stand the shock, and she died at the end of a 
month, neither regretting life nor fearing death. She 
often spoke of me and called me in her delirium. Ho 
one thought of me now. I ate what I could find, and I 
slept unsheltered in cold and rain. When I saw the 
coffin which contained the body of my poor, little mis- 
tress carried out of the house, my grief was so intense 
that I left that part of the country, and have never been 
there since. 



She was taken with a fever— (Page 50.) 


( 51 ) 















* 


\ 

- \ 


• ' s* / • K . ' v . 

w%- • . V. 


*. £ 

*s* • r* 

V 

‘1 • . *. 
• - -v / 


■if 


*, ■ ’ ** 


» • -V 
y ‘ 


• . 

nfr* ' 


t. 




Vr 




<• r-; < 


•>•'• • . - 


\- 


.«> . 






H. 










«• 


•4 


\ ■ 




*. je .. 








4 - ,** 






4 • 


v; 




r v 












IX. 

THE DONKEY RACE. 

I lived miserably on account of tlie season, for the 
home I had selected was in a forest where I could scarcely 
find the wherewith to keep me from dying of hunger and 
thirst. When the streams were frozen I eat snow, my 
only nourishment was got by nibbling thistles, my only 
shelter the pines. How often did I not compare my 
present sad existence with that I had led at my good 
master George’s, and even at the farmer’s to whom he 
had sold me, until I gave myself up to idleness, mischief 
and revenge. However, there were no means of improv- 
ing my miserable condition, for I was determined to 
remain free, and master of my actions. Sometimes, by 
way of recreation, I went to the outskirts of a village 
very near the forest, to find out what was going on in the 
world. One,day, it was Springtime (and the fine weather 
had set in,) I was surprised to notice that something 
extraordinary was going on, the village Wore a festive 
air, people went in throngs, every one arrayed in his of 
her holiday garments, and what was still more astonish- 
ing, all the donkeys of a neighboring county Were col- 
lected there, curried and rubbed, carrying neither panief 

5* (53) 


54 : 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


nor saddle, some even having flowers on their head or 
around their neck, and every one accompanied by a 
master, leading him by a bridle. 

“ This is singular, ” thought I, “ there is no fair going 
on to day ! What can all my comrades be doing here, 
curried and decorated ? And how fat they are ! they 
have certainly been well fed this winter ! ” 

As I mentally ejaculated these words, I looked at 
myself ; my back, my belly, my crest were thin and rough, 
and the hair all over my body standing awry, but I felt 
strong an ^vigorous. 



“ I would rather be homely,” thought I, “but healthy 
and active ; none of my comrades here, so handsome, 
fat and well cared for, could support the fatiques and 
privations I have endured all winter.” As I drew near 
to ascertain the meaning of this re-union* of donkeys, 
one of the boys in charge of them, perceiving me, began 
to laugh. 

“ Come boys, come see the beautiful donkey that has 
just arrived ! How well curried he is ! ” cried he. 

“And well fed and cared for,” said another. “ Has he 
come for the race ? ” 


THE A L VENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


55 


u -If he has, let him run,” cried a third, “ there is no 
danger of his gaining the prize.” 

A general laugh followed these words. Though dis 
pleased at the boys’ stupid jokes, my vexation was tem- 
pered by the satisfaction of having learned what all the 
commotion meant. There was to be a race, but when or 
how ? Wishing to know more, I continued to listen, 
though apparently understanding nothing of what was 
said. 

“ Are they going to start soon \ ” inquired one of the 
young men. 

“ I do not know, they are waiting for the Mayor.” 

“ Where is the race course ? ” said a good woman who 
had just arrived. 

“ In the big meadow by the mill, mother Tranchet,” 
answered John. 

“ How many donkeys are there here now ? ” 

“ There are sixteen not counting you, mother Tran- 
chet.” A burst of laughter followed this jest. 

“Ah ! you are a scamp ! ” said mother Tranchet laugh 
ing, “ and what does the winner of the race get ? ” 

“ Honor first, and a silver watch next.” 

“ I would be well pleased to be a donkey for the sake 
of gaining the watch ; I have never had the money to 
buy a watch.” 

“Well, if you hadbrought a donkey you would have 
to run — the chance.” 

And all laughed their heartiest. 

Where do you suppose I would get a donkey ? Have 


56 . 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I ever had the means to buy one, or to feed one after buy- 
ing it.” 

This good woman pleased me greatly she had such a 
cheerful, lively air; and the idea struck me of trying to 
win her the watch. I was accustomed to running, for 
every day in the woods I took long runs to warm myself, 
and I had formerly enjoyed the reputation of running as 
long and as swiftly as a horse. 

“ Come,” said I to mysel r, “ let’s try ; if I do not win, 
I lose nothing ; if I do win, I shall gain a watch for 
mother Tranchet, who greatly desires it.” 

Starting off at a little trot, I took my place beside the 
last mule, and assuming a proud air I began to bray 
vigorously. 

“ Stop ! stop ! ” exclaimed Andrew, “ will you stop that 
music? Get away donkey, you are without a master, 
you are too badly curried, you can’t run.” 

I held my peace, but did not budge. Some laughed, 
some were vexed, and they were beginning to contend 
among themselves, when mother Tranchet exclaimed : 

“ Well, if he has no master, he is going to have a mis 
tress; I recognize him now. It is Cadichon, poor Miss 
Pauline’s donkey ; they drove him off when the poor, 
little thing was no longer there to protect him, and I 
firmly believe he has lived all winter in the woods, for 
no one has seen him since. I take him to-day into my 
service ; he is going to run for me.” 

“ It is Cadichon ! ” cried several in various directions. 
“ 1 have heard of this famous Cadichon.” 



“Here is my money.”— (Page 59.) 


I 


( 57 ) 











































































- 

- . 1 

$ » 

- • •• • '* '■ ' 













•v 

■ 

• ■ f • .* - • 

1 4fW ' ' , 1 Rv. a a • 

• ** * . • 








• • • 

• i* B . *— • . i • •. 

& » - * 

;■ . •• - ‘ 

* * * ' t 






■u 






* * 



















































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


59 


“ But mother Tranchet,” said John, “ if he is going to 
run for you, you must drop a silver piece of fifty centimes 
in the Mayor’s bag, just like everybody else.’ , 

" That shall not hinder me, my children, here is my 
money,” she added, untying a knot in her handkerchief, 
“ but don’t ask any more, for I hav’nt it.” 

" Ah* well ! if your donkey wins you will not loose any- 
thing, for all the village has contributed to this bag, it 
contains more than a hundred francs.” 

I approached mother Tranchet, and I whirled on my 
heel, leaped and kicked with such facility, that the boys 
began to fear I might win the day. 

“ Listen, John,” said Andrew in an undertone, “you 
were wrong to let mother Tranchet contribute to the bag. 
That gives her a right to let Cadiclion run, and he has 
such a nimble air, I fear he may win the watch and 
money.” 

“Ah bah ! how silly you are ! Don’t you see there what 
a figure this poor Cadichon cuts ! He is going to make us 
laugh, he’ll not go far indeed.” 

“ I can’t say, suppose I coax him off with some oats, ” 

“And what of mother Trancliet’s money ? ” 

“ Her donkey gone, the money would be returned to 
her.” 

“ I agree ; Cadichon is no more to her, than to you or 
me. Get some oats and try to coax him off without 
mother Tranchet’s knowledge.” 

I had heard and understood all; so when Andrew 
returned with the oats in his apron, instead of approaching 


60 


TEE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


him, I drew near mother Tranchet, who was talking with 
her friends. Andrew followed; John thinking Iliad 
not seen seen the oats, took me by the ears and made mo 
turn my head. Still I would not budge, notwithstand- 
ing my longing to taste such a luxury. Andrew began 
to push, John, to pull me, and I to bray in my loudest 
voice. Mother Tranchet turned, and seeing the manoeuvres 
of Andrew and John : 

“ Boys,” said she, you are not doing right there. Since 
you made me deposit my silver piece in the bag, you 
must not take Cadichon off. It appears to me that you 
are afraid of him-” 

“Afraid ! afraid of a dirty donkey like that ! Oh ! no, 
we have no fears of him,” said Andrew. 

“ Then why would you try to lead him off? ” 

“ To give him some oats.” 

“Ah ! that’s a different thing ! ” replied mother Tran- 
chet in a sportive way, “ you are very obliging, just pour 
the oats on the ground so that he can eat them at his 
oase ! And to think that I suspected you of giving them 
to him from malice ! IIow one can be mistaken.” 

Andrew and John were ashamed and vexed, but they 
took good care to conceal it. Their companions laughed 
to see them so nicely caught, mother Tranchet clapped 
her hands, and as for me, I was delighted, eating my oats 
with avidity, and feeling a renewal of strength as I did 
so. I was quite pleased with mother Tranchet also. 
Having finished eating, I was impatient to start. At 
last there was a great tumult, the Mayor had just ordered 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


61 


us to be ranged in line. I modestly took tlie last place. 
My appearance alone, without a master, was the signal 
for a general inquiry as to who I was, and to whom I 
belonged. 

“ To no one,” said Andrew. 

“ To me,” cried mother Tranchet. 

“ It is necessary to contribute to the bag, mother Tran- 
diet,” said the Mayor. 

“ I have done so, Mr. Mayor.” 

“Good; write mother Tranchet’s name,” said the 
Mayor. 

“It is already down, sir,” replied the secretaiy. 

“ Very well,” said the Mayor. “ Is everything ready ? 
One, two, three ! Start ! ” 

At this the boys suddenly released the donkeys they 
were holding, giving them a smart blow of the whip at 
the same time. All started. No one had held me, and 
as I honestly awaited my turn all the others had a slight 
advantage over me. But we had not gone more than a 
hundred steps ere I reached them. Behold me now at 
the head of the band, outstripping them, indeed, without 
overtaxing myself to do so. The boys halloed and 
cracked their whips to urge on their own. I glanced 
back occasionally to see their disconcerted visages, to 
contemplate my triumph and laugh at their efforts. My 
companions, furious at being distanced by me— a poor, 
unknown, piteous looking creature— redoubled their 
efforts to overtake me, and endeavored to block the road, 
one against another. I heard behind me savage cries, 


62 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


kicks, bites. Twice was I reached, almost passed, by 
John’s donkey. Perhaps I ought to have employed the 
same means against him that he had used in outstrip- 
ping his companions; but I disdained such unworthy 
manoeuvres. I saw, how r ever, that not to be beaten it 
was necessary to do my utmost. With a vigorous bound, 
I dashed ahead of my rival, who at the same moment 
seized me by the tail. So great was the pain that I 
almost dropped down on the spot; but the thought of 
victory inspired me with courage to snatch myself away, 
leaving a piece of my tail in his mouth. The desire of 
vengeance gave me wings. I ran with such speed that 
not only did I reach the goal first, but far, far ahead of 
all my rivals. I was breathless, exhausted, but happy 
and triumphant, reveling amidst the applause of thousands 
of spectators who thronged the fields. With a victor’s 
pride I walked up to the tribunal of the Mayor, who 
was to bestow the prize. Good mother Tranchet also 
advanced, caressing and promising me a fine repast of 
oats. She extended her hand for the watch and silver 
which the Mayor was about to give her, when Andrew 
and John, running in breathless haste, exclaimed: 

“ Stop, Mr. Mayor, stop ; it is not right, that. No one 
know r s this donkey. Mother Tranchet has no right to 
the prize. This donkey does not count; it was mine 
and John’s donkeys that beat ; the watch and money 
belong to us.” 

“Did not mother Tranchet contribute to the race? ” 

“ Yes, Mr. Mayor, but — ” 


My rival seized me by the tail— (rage 62 .) 



( 63 ) 















































■ s»iSi m \ ■ *. . 


i . . - V 




' * • . * 


** 


vy» 




»- v • 





• ' 

- * . 














• \ 

• •*. 

. .. 















. * S * V ••• 
























! < 

. *' **' s 





















* 














































I 






tf 

V . . r i ( ’ » 


i . 







































TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


65 


“ Was there any opposition when she did so ? ” 

“ No, Mr. Mayor, hut — ” 

“ Did you oppose it at the moment of departure ? ” 

“ No, Mr. Mayor, but — ” 

“Then mother Trancliet’s donkey has really won the 
watch and money.” 

“ Mr. Mayor, assemble the municipal council to decide 
this question ; you have no right to decide alone.” 

The Mayor hesitated. Seeing this, I abruptly seized 
the watch and bag with my teeth and put them in the 
hands of mother Tranchet, who, anxious and trembling, 
awaited the Mayor’s decision. 

This act of intelligence put every one on our side and 
covered me with applause. 

“ Behold the question decided by the victor in favor of 
mother Tranchet,” said the Mayor, laughing. “ Gentle- 
men of the municipal council, at table we will deliberate 
upon my allowing justice to be decided by a donkey. 
Friends,” added he, casting a mischievous glance at 
Andrew and John, “in my opinion the greatest donkey 
among us is not that of mother Tranchet.” 

“ Bravo ! bravo ! Mr. Mayor ! ” arose from every side. 
And all laughed except Andrew and John, who went off 
shaking their fists at me. 

And as to myself, was I pleased? No, my pride 
revolted ; the Mayor had insulted me in calling my ene- 
mies donkeys. It was ungrateful and base to do so. I 
had displayed courage, forbearance, patience, intelligence, 
and this was my recompense ! Having insulted, they 

G* 


GG 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


abandoned me. Even mother Trancliet, in lier joy at 
getting a watch and a purse of a hundred and thirty-five 
francs, forgot her benefactor and thought no more of the 
promised repast of oats, but departed with the crowd, 
leaving me minus the reward I so truly deserved ! 


X. 

GOOD MASTERS. 

Left sad and solitary in the field, and suffering from 
my bitten tail, I was just wondering to myself if donkeys 
were not better than men, when I felt a soft hand caress 
me, and heard a voice not less gentle, saying : 

“ Poor thing ! they have been unkind to you, come, 
poor beast, come go home to grandma’s, she will feed and 
care for you better than your wicked masters ! Poor don- 
key ! how thin you are ! ” 

Turning round, I saw a pretty little boy about five 
years old, his sister apparently three, and the nurse. 

“James,” said Ruth, “what are you saying to this 
poor donkey ? ” 

“I told it to come home to grandma’s, it is all alone, 
poor beast I ” 

“ Yes, James, take him ; wait, I am going to get on his 
back. Nurse, nurse, put me on the donkey’s back.” 

The nurse put the little girl on my back ; James wished 
to lead me, but had no bridle. 



I seized the watch and bag with my teeth.— (Pago G5.) 


( 67 ) 














THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


09 


“ Wait nurse,” said he, “I am going to tie my hand- 
kerchief around his neck. 

Little James tried to do so, but my neck was much too 
large for his small handkerchief ; the nurse gave him hers 
and it was too small. 

“ What shall I do nurse ? ” said he, ready to cry* 

“We must get a halter or rope from the village.. 
Come, my little Kuth, get down.*’ 

“No,” said Kuth,. clinging to my neck, “I want to 
stay on the donkey, I want him to take me home.” 

“ But you have nothing to lead him with ; you see he 
won’t move any more than if he w r erc a stone.” 

“ Wait nurse, yes he will, I know his name, it is Cadi- 
chon, mother Tranchet told me so, I am going to pet and 
coax him, and I believe he will follow me.” 

James came up to me and whispered in my ear. “ Go 
my nice Cadichon, please go.” 

This dear little boy’s confidence touched me, I noticed 
with pleasure, that instead of asking for a stick to make 
me go, he had thought only of kind and gentle means. 
So, scarcely had he finished his words and the accom- 
panying caresses, ere I began to move. 

“ You see nurse, he understands me, he loves me,” 
exclaimed James, his cheeks flushed, his eyes sparkling 
with joy, as he ran a little in advance to show me the 
way. 

“As if a donkey could understand anything ! he goes 
because he is tired of standing here.” 

“ But nurse, he follows me, you 860.” 


TO 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Because lie smells the bread in your pocket.” 

“ Do you think he is hungry, nurse % ” 

“ Yery likely, you see how thin he is.” 

“ Yes he is, poor Cadichon, and for me not to think of 
giving him my bread.” 

And taking from his pocket the piece of bread intended 
for liis luncheon, he offered it to me. 

I was offended at the nurse’s unkind suggestion, and 
delighted with an opportunity of proving that she had 
judged me harshly, I followed James and carried Ruth 
on my back, not from interest at all, but from civility 
and courtesy. 

I refused the offered bread, and contented myself with 
licking James’s hand. 

“ Nurse, look ! look ! he licks my hand,” exclaimed 
James. a He does not want the bread. Oh! my dear, 
nice Cadichon, how I love you! You see now nurse, 
that he follows me because he loves me, and not to get 
the bread.” 

“ So much the better for you, if you can believe you 
have a donkey like one nobody else ever saw, a model 
donkey. I know they are all headstrong and vicious, 
and for my part, I do not like them.” 

“ Oh nurse, poor Cadichon is not vicious, see how good 
he is to me.” 

“And how long will it all last ? ” 

“ My Cadichon, you will always be good to me and 
Ruth, won’t you ? ” said James, caressing me. 

I turned towards him with such a look of affection, 


THE ADVENTURES OE A DONKEY. 


71 


that in spite of his tender years, he noticed it ; then I 
cast upon the nurse such a furious glance that she like- 
wise observed it, for she said immediately : 

“ What a wicked eye ! and defiant air ! he looks at m© 
as if he wanted to devour me ! ” 

“ Oh nurse,” replied James, “how can you say that? 
he looks at me with such a gentle air, as if he wished to 
embrace me.” 

Both were right, and I had not been misunderstood. I 
promised myself to be gentle and good to James, Buth, 
and all on the place who would be kind to me, and I 
also made the wicked resolution, of being spiteful and 
vicious to those who would maltreat or insult me, as the 
nurse had done. This desire of vengeance, w^as event- 
ually to cause me much unhappiness. 

Talking as they w r ent, we kept on and soon reached 
their grandmother’s residence. 

They left me at the door, where I stood quietly, like a 
well behaved donkey, not even nibbling the grass that 
bordered the gravel walks. 

In two minutes, James re-appeared, accompanied by 
his grandmother. 

“ Come see, grandma, come see how gentle he is, and 
how he loves me. Do not believe nurse, I beg you,” said 
James clasping his hands. 

“ No, grandma, don’t believe it, I entreat you not to 
believe it,” repeated Buth. 

“ Let us see,” said the grandmother smiling, “ let us see 
this famous donkey.” 


72 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

And coming up to me, she touched me, she caressed 
me, she took hold of my ears, put her hand to my mouth, 
I stood very quietly, making not the slightest attempt to 
bite her, or even get away from her. 

“ He seems to be very gentle,” she said, “ how could 
you say, Emily, that he had a wicked look ? ” 

“ Isn’t he good, grandma, isn’t he ? and musn’t we 
keep him ? ” said James. 

“ My dear little one, I believe he is very good ; but how 
can we keep him, since he is not ours ? He must be taken 
back to his master.” 

“ He has no master, grandma.” 

“We are sure he has no master, grandma,” replied 
Ruth, who always repeated her brother’s words. 

“ How is that, it is impossible.” 

“ It is true, grandma, mother Tranchet told me.” 

“ Then how did he gain the race prize for her ? Since 
he ran for her, she must have borrowed him from some 
one.” 

“ Ho, Grandma, he came all alone, and wanted to run 
with the others. Mother Tranchet paid the risk, but she 
does not ow r n him, he belengs to nobody, it is Cadichon, 
whose mistress, poor Pauline died; her parents drove 
him off, and he has lived all winter in the woods.” 

“ Cadichon ! the famous Cadichon who saved his little 
mistress from the fire ? Ah ! I am very glad to know 
him ; he is truly an extraordinary and admirable donkey.” 

And she walked around me, regarding me attentively. 
Proud to see my reputation so well established, I reared 
my head, inflated my nostrils and shook my mane. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


73 


“ Oh ! how thin he is ! Poor beast ! his devotion met 
with little recompense,” said the grandmother in a serious 
manner and tone of reproach. “ ¥e will keep him, my 
child, we will keep him, since he has been abandoned 
and driven oft* by those who ought to have cared for and 
loved him. Call Bouland to put him in the stable and 
give him a good bed.” 

James, delighted, ran to get Bouland, who came imme- 
diately. 

“ Bouland, here is a donkey the children have brought 
home; take him to the stable and feed and water him,’* 
said the grandmother, 

“ Must he then be taken to his master ? ” said Bouland, 

“No; he has no master. It appears that he is the 
famous Cadichon that was driven off after the death of 
his little mistress. He came to the village and my little 
children found him abandoned in the fteld. They 
brought him home and we are going to keep him,” 

“ And madam does well to keep him ; there is not his 
equal in all the country. I have heard most wonderful 
things about him. They say he hears and understands 
all that is said to him. Let us try him, madam. Come, 
Cadichon, come get some oats.” 

I immediately turned and followed Bouland. 

“ It is astonishing,” said the grandmother ; “ he really 
understood.” 

And she went in the house, but James and Ruth 
accompanied me to the stable. I was placed in a stall, 
my companions being two horses and a donkey. Bou- 
7 


n 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


land, assisted by James, made me a good bed, and then 
went to get my oats. 

“ More, more, Bouland ; I beg yon to give him more,” 
said James; “he needs a hearty meal, he has run so 
hard.” 

“ But, Master James, if you give him too many oats 
he will get so lively that you and Miss Ruth can’t ride 
him.” 

“ Oh ! he is such a good donkey, I know we can ride 
him all the same.” 

They gave me an enormous quantity of oats and put 
a bucket of water beside me. Being thirsty, I first drank 
a little and then attacked my oats, meanwhile congratu- 
lating myself upon having fallen into the hands of this 
good little James. I also made some reflections upon 
mother Trancliet’s ingratitude. Then devouring my 
bundle of hay, I lay down on my straw, and, couched 
like a king, I slept. 


XI. 

CADICHON SICK. 


My only employment next morning was to take the 
children riding an hour. James himself got me my oats, 
and in spite of Bouland’s warning, he gave me enough 
to feed three donkeys my size. I ate all that was given 
me ; I was happy. But on the third day I felt sick, I 
had fever, and both head and stomach seemed affected ; I 
could eat neither hay nor oats, but remained extended 
upon the straw. 

“ Here is Cadichon not up yet,” said James coming to 
see me. “ Come, Cadichon, it is time to rise, I am going 
to give you your oats.” 

I endeavored to rise but my head fell back heavily 
upon the straw. 

“ Oh ! Cadichon is sick,” exclaimed little James, 
" Bouland, Bouland, come quick, Cadichon is sick ! ” 

“ How is that,” said Bouland, “ he ate his breakfast 
this morning ? ” 

Going up to the trough, Bouland looked in and said : 

“ He is sick, he has not touched his oats — his ears are 
warm,” added he, taking hold of my ears, “ and his side 
beats.” 


( 75 ) 


76 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

“ What does that mean, Bouland ? ” exclaimed poor 
James, in great alarm. 

“ It means master James, that Cadichon has a fever, 
you have fed him too high, we must get the veterinary.” 

“What is a veterinary?” asked James, still more 
alarmed. 

“ It is a horse doctor. You see, master James, I told 
you right. The poor beast suffered this winter from 
hunger and want of shelter, (you can tell by looking at 
him, see the color of his hair and how lean he is,) then 
he got very much heated running at the race. He ought 
to have had a few oats, and some grass to strengthen him, 
but you have given him just as many oats as he could 
eat.” 

“ Oh ! my poor Cadichon ! he is going to die, and it is 
my fault ! ” said J ames with a sob. 

“Ho, master James, he is not going to die this time, 
but he must be bled and put out on grass.” 

“ Oh ! but it will hurt so to bleed him,” said J ames, 
all in tears. 

“ Hot this bleeding ; you will see, for I am going to 
bleed him at once, whilst waiting for the veterinary.” 

“ I don’t want to see, I don’t want to see,” cried James, 
running away, “ I am sure it will hurt him.” 

Bouland took his lancet, placed it on a vein in my 
neck, struck it a slight blow with a hammer, and the 
blood gushed out immediately. As the blood flowed, I 
began to feel better, my head became less heavy, and I 
was relieved of oppression ; I was soon able to rise. Bou- 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


77 


land stopped the blood and gave me some bran water, and 
in about an hour led me into the field. I was better but 
not well, and nearly eight days elapsed before I entirely 
recovered. Meanwhile, James and Euth loaded me with 
such kindness and attentions as I shall never forget. 
They came to see me several times a day ; they gathered 
grass and held it up to my mouth, that I might be spared 
the trouble of bending my head to browse ; they brought 
me garden salad, cabbage and carrots; every evening 
they led me into the stable themselves, to find the trough 
full of my favorite dainty, potato pickings with salt. 
One day, dear little James wanted to give me his pillow, 
because, he said, my head was too low when I slept. 
Another time Kuth wished to lend me her coverlet, to 
keep me 'warm at night, and again, they wrapped my legs 
with pieces of woolen stutf, for fear of my taking cold. 
I was distressed at not being able to express my gratitude, 
for I had the misfortune of understanding everything, 
without the power of uttering a word. I got well at last, 
and soon after my recovery, learned that James and Euth 
with several of their cousins, were getting up a donkey 
party to the Woods. 


XII. 

THE ROBBERS. 


The children were assembled in the yard, and with 
them were many donkeys from the neighboring villages. 
I recognized nearly all of the latter as my rivals at the 
race. John’s, donkey eyed me savagely, whilst I, in re- 
turn, bestowed upon him most insulting glances. Nearly 
all the grandchildren of James’s grandmother were there : 
Maud, Beatrice, Elizabeth, Helen, Ruth, William, Henry, 
Louis and James. All the mammas were to accompany 
them on donkeys, whilst the papas went on foot and 
armed with switches to keep the lazy animals moving. 
Before starting, there was as usual in such cases, a slight 
contention as to who should have the best animal ; every- 
body wanted me, no one was willing to give up, so it was 
at last decided to draw lots. I fell to the lot of little 
Louis, James’s cousin ; he was an excellent child, and I 
would have been well satisfied had I not seen poor little 
James’s unsuccessful efforts to hide his tears. Every 
time he looked at me they would flow afresh. I felt very 
sorry, but was unable to comfort him ; however, it was 
ilecessary for him as well as myself to learn resignation 
and patience. With manly resolution he mounted his 
donkey, saying to Louis as he did so : 


( 78 ) 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


79 


“ I will keep near you, Louis ; don’t make Cadichon 
gallop too fast, or I will be behind.” 

“ And why would you remain behind ? why not gallop 
like me?” 

“ Because Cadichon gallops faster than any other don- 
key in the country.” 

" How do you know ? ” 

“ Because I saw him run for the prize the day of the 
donkey race at the village, and he was far ahead of all 
the others.” 

Louis promised his cousin not to go too fast, and we 
both started otf in a trot. My companion was no lag- 
gard, so I had to restrain myself but little that we might 
keep together. The others following, some briskly, some 
tardily, we thus reached the forest where stood the very 
beautiful ruins of an old convent and chapel that the 
children were anxious to see. The place bore an evil 
reputation throughout the country, and no one liked to 
go there except in large companies. At night, it was 
said, strange noises were heard issuing from the ruins, 
groans, cries, the clinking of chains ; and several travel- 
ers who laughed at these accounts, and went to visit the 
spot alone, never returned and were never afterwards 
heard of. 

Every one dismounted, and when we had been turned 
loose to graze with the bridle over our heads, the papas 
and mammas took their children by the hand to prevent 
their straying off or lagging behind, and much to my 
anxiety the whole party was soon lost to sight amid the 


80 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


ruins. I likewise left my companions, and screened 
myself from the sun under a half-ruined arch, upon a 
declivity beside the woods, and a little farther distant 
than the convent. I had scarcely been there a quarter 
of an hour when I heard a noise near the arch. Crouch- 
ing in a recess of the ruined wall, where unperceived, I 
could see all around, I listened. The noise, though dull, 
increased; it seemed to be underground. 

Not many minutes and I saw a man’s head cautiously 
peering up amidst the bushes. 

“ Nothing,” said he in a low tone, looking all around. 
“ No one — you may come, comrades. Every one is to 
take a donkey and lead him carefully.” 

He then moved out of the way to allow passage to 
about a dozen men. 

“ If the donkeys escape,” said he, in an undertone, 
“ don’t amuse yourselves running after them. Quick, 
and no noise, that is the order.” 

Creeping through the woods, which were very thick 
just there, the men moved cautiously but quickly. 
The donkeys seeking shade, were browsing upon the 
grass at the edge of the forest. At a given signal, every 
robber caught a donkey by his bridle and led him into 
the thicket. Instead of resisting, struggling and braying 
to give the alarm, these donkeys allowed themselves to 
be taken as passively as if they were sheep. Five 
minutes after the robbers had reached the thicket at the 
foot of the arch. One by one my comrades were led 
into the bushes, whence they disappeared. I heard the 
noise of their footsteps tinder ground, then all was silent. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEV. 


81 


“ Here,’’ thought I, “ is an explanation of the myste- 
rious noises that have frightened the country, a band of 
robbers concealed in the convent vaults. They must be 
taken, but how ? that’s the difficulty.” 

I remained concealed in my recess (whence I had a 
fine view of the entire convent ruins, and the surround- 
ing country), and did not stir until I heard the voices of 
the children seeking their donkeys. Then I ran forward 
to prevent their going too near the arch and thicket, so 
skilfully concealing the entrance to the vaults that it was 
impossible to perceive them. 

“ There is Cadiclion ! ” exclaimed Louis. 

“ But where are the others ? ” said all the children at 
once. 

“ They must be near,” said Louis’s papa. 

“We had better seek them by the ravine behind the 
arch; the grass there is fine, and they have probably 
wished to taste it.” 

Trembling at thoughts of the danger they incurred, I 
rushed from the side of the arch to prevent their passing. 
They endeavored to make me move, but I resisted so 
stoutly, barring the passage whichever way they at- 
tempted to go, that Louis’s papa stopped his brother-in- 
law and said to him : 

“ Listen, there is something very extraordinary about 
Cadichon’s behavior. You know what is said of this 
animal’s intelligence. Listen to me, and let us turn back. 
Besides, it is not likely that all the donkeys would be on 
the other side of the ruins.” 


82 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Yon are right,” answered James’s papa, “ and I per- 
ceive the grass around the arch pressed down as if it had 
been recently trampled upon. No doubt our donkeys 
have been stolen.” 

They returned towards the mammas, who had kept the 
children with them, and I followed with a light heart, 
happy at having probably averted a terrible calamity. 
They talked low, and I perceived that they got close 
together. 

“ How shall we manage this ? ” said Louis’s mamma, 
when they had called me up. “ One donkey can’t carry 
all these children.” 

“ Put the smallest on Cadichon, and let the rest follow 
with us,” said James’s mamma. 

“ Come, Cadichon, let us see how many you can carry,” 
said Helen’s mamma. 

Putli being the smallest, was put in front, then Helen, 
then James, then Louis. The whole four were not heavy, 
and wishing to show that I could carry them without 
the least fatigue, I set off in a trot. 

“ Not so fast, Cadichon ! ” cried the papas, “ gently, so 
we can hold on to those on your back.” 

I changed my gait to a walk, and proceeded, sur- 
rounded by the larger children and the mammas, the papas 
following to assist those that were disposed to lag behind. 

“ Mamma, why didn’t papa hunt for our donkeys?” said 
Henry, who was the youngest of the band, and found 
the way long. 

“ Because your papa thinks they have been stolen, and 
it would be useless to seek them.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


83 


“ Stolen ! who stole them ? I saw nobody.” 

“ Nor did I, but there w r ere traces of footsteps around 
the arch.” 

“ But then, mamma, he ought to have hunted for the 
robbers,” said William. 

“ That would have been very imprudent, as there must 
have been several men, to have taken thirteen donkeys. 
They were probably armed, and would have killed or 
wounded your papas.” 

“Armed, mamma!” said William. 

“ Yes, with clubs, knives, perhaps pistols.” 

“ Oh ! how very dangerous ! Papa was right to return 
with my uncles ! ” exclaimed Maud. 

“We must hasten home, for your papa and uncles are 
going to the village after our return.” 

“ Why, mamma ? ” asked William. 

“ To warn the guards, and try to recover the donkeys.” 

“ I am sorry we went to see the ruins,” said Maud. 

“ Why ? ” replied Beatrice, “ they were beautiful.” 

“ Yes, but it was very dangerous. Suppose the rob- 
bers had captured us instead of the donkeys ? ” 

“ That would have been impossible ! there were too 
many of us,” said Elizabeth. 

“ But there must have been a number of robbers,” was 
Maud’s reply. 

“We would all have fought them,” said Elizabeth. 

“ With what ? we had only a stick.” 

“And our feet, our fists, our teeth; I would have 
scratched them to death ; I would have torn their eyes 
out!” 


84 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“And the robbers would have killed you, that’s all,” 
said William. 

“ Killed me ! and papa and mamma there ! do you sup- 
pose they would have allowed the robbers to carry me off 
or kill me ? ” 

“ The robbers would have killed them too, and before 
they killed you,” answerd Beatrice. 

“ Do you think, then, that there was an army of 
robbers \ ” 

“ There could not have been less than a dozen.” 

“ A dozen ? what nonsense ! do you believe that rob 
bers always go in dozens, like oysters ? ” 

“ You are always making fun of whatever is said to 
you ! I say that to carry off thirteen donkeys, there 
must have been at least twelve men.” 

“ I bet so myself, and the thirteenth was to makegood 
measure, like little pies.” 

The mammas, and the other children laughed at this 
conversation, until it turned into dispute ; then Eliza- 
beth’s mamma bade her be silent, and said that Beatrice 
was probably correct as to the number of robbers. 

We were not long in reaching the house, and great 
was the surprise of all there, to see the party returning 
on foot, and me, Cadichon, carrying four children, But 
when the papas recounted the disappearance of the don- 
keys, and my persistency in not allowing any one to 
approach the arch, all shook their heads, and gave vent 
to a multitude of most singular suppositions ; some said 
the donkeys had been swallowed up by demons ; others, 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 85 

that the religious buried in the chapel had seized them to 
ride all over with them ; and others again, that the angels 
guarding the convent, reduced to dust and ashes every 
animal approaching too near the cemetery where the 
souls of the religious wandered. Not one suggested the 
idea of robbers concealed in the vaults. 

Immediately on their return, the three papas acquainted 
the grandmother with the probable theft of their donkeys, 
after which the horses were put to the carriage, and they 
went to lay their complaint before the authorities of the 
neighboring town. In two hours they returned with an 
officer and six guards. Such was my reputation for intel- 
ligence, that the gravest suspicions were based upon my 
resistance to the attempted passage of the arch. The 
guards were armed with pistols and carbines, ready to 
take the field. However, they accepted the grandmother’s 
invitation to dinner, and sat down to the table with the 
ladies and gentlemen. 


8 


XIII. 


THE VAULTS. 

The dinner was not long, for the soldiers were anxious 
to make their inspection before night. They asked the 
grandmother’s permission to take me with them. 

“ He will be very useful in our expedition, madam,” 
said the officer. “ This Cadichon is not an ordinary 
donkey; he has already accomplished more difficult 
things than we are going to require of him.” 

“ Take him, if you think it necessary, but do not 
fatigue him too much, I beg of you. The poor beast 
made that journey this morning and returned with four 
of my grandchildren on his back.” 

“ Oh, as to that, madam, you may be perfectly easy ; 
be sure we will treat him as kindly as possible.” 

Having eaten and drunk, my dinner being a peck of 
oats, an armful of salad, carrots and other vegetables, 
with a bucket of water, I was ready to start. When 
they came to take me, I placed myself at the head and 
they all followed — a donkey guiding soldiers ! They did 
not seem vexed at this, however, for they were all good 
men. Soldiers are generally considered rough and harsh, 
but I assure you they are just the contrary ; no people in 

( 86 ) 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 87 

the world are kinder, none more charitable, patient and 
generous than these same military men. Whilst on the 
road they took every imaginable care of me, relaxing 
their pace when they thought me fatigued, and proposing 
to let me drink at every stream we crossed. 

It w r as nearly night when we reached the convent. 
Fearing their horses might be a disadvantage, they had 
been left at a village near the forest. The officer now 
gave orders for the men to follow all my movements and 
to keep together. Without hesitation I led them to the 
entrance of the arch overgrown with bushes, and whence 
I had seen the twelve robbers issue. 

With the greatest anxiety, I saw that they remained 
there. To get them away I went a few steps behind the 
wall ; they followed and I returned to the bushes, pre- 
venting them from returning also, by barring the way 
whenever they attempted a step in that direction. They 
understood me and remained concealed along the wall. 

I then approached the entrance to the vaults, and 
began to bray with all the strength of my lungs. I was 
not long in attaining my object. All my imprisoned 
comrades responded vigorously. 1 made a step towards 
the soldiers, who divined my manoeuvres, and I returned 
to the entrance of the vaults, where I began to bray 
again. This time there was no answer, and I suspected 
that the robbers to prevent my comrades’ braying had 
tied stones to their tails. Everybody knows that on bray* 
ing we raise our tails, and not being able to raise their 
tails, because of the weight of the stones, my comrades 
held their peace. 


88 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I remained about two steps from the entrance. Soon 
a man’s head cautiously peered up amidst the bushes. 
Looking all around and seeing no one but myself: 

“Ah!” said he, “here is the knave we missed this 
morning. You will rejoin your companions, my brayer.” 

As he was about to seize me, I retreated a couple of 
steps, he followed, I still kept out of his reach, until I 



had brought him to the angle of the wall, behind which 
my friends, the soldiers, were concealed. 

Before he had time to utter a cry even, they had seized, 
gagged, and bound and extended him on the ground. I 
returned to the entrance and brayed again, not doubting 
but this would bring another to see what had become of 
his companion. And sure enough, I soon heard a slight 
movement among the bushes, and saw a new head look- 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


89 


ing around with the same precaution. Not being able to 
reach me, the second robber did precisely as the first. I 
executed the same manoeuvre, and he was in the soldiers’ 
hands before he had time to know what had happened. 
I proceeded thus, until six were taken. After the 
sixth, I brayed in vain ; no one appeared. I suppose, 
noticing that their companions did not return, the rob- 



bers began to suspect a trap and determined to run no 
more risks. 

Meanwhile, night had set in and we could scarcely see. 
The officer sent one of his men for re-inforcements to 
attack the robbers in their cave, and to take away in a 
vehicle, the six prisoners bound and gagged. The remain- 
ing soldiers were divided into two bands to guard the 
convent outlets; as for me, receiving many caresses and 
8 * 


90 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


unbounded compliments, I was allowed to follow my own 
inclinations. 

“ If he were not a donkey,” said one soldier, “ lie would 
merit the cross.” 

“ Hasn’t he one on his back ? ” said another. 

“ Hush that,” said a third, “ its a poor joke ; you know 
very well that this cross is marked upon their backs to 
remind us that one of their number had once the honor 
of carrying our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

“ That’s why it is a cross of honor,” was the answer. 

“ Silence,” said the officer in an undertone, “ Cadichon 
pricks up his ears.” 

I indeed heard an extraordinary noise from beneath 
the arch, it was not the sound of footsteps, but rather 
that of stifled cries and a sort of crackling. The soldiers 
likewise heard it, but could not divine the cause. At 
last a thick smoke was seen issuing from the air holes 
and lower windows of the convent, tongues of flame 
leaped out, and in a few minutes all was on fire. 

“ They have set fire to the vaults, so they can escape by 
the doors,” said the officer. 

“ It must be extinguished, lieutenant,^ replied a sob 
dier. 

“ Be very careful ! Guard every opening more closely 
than ever, and if the robbers show themselves, fire your 
carbines, use the pistols afterwards.” 

The officer had truly divined their manoeuvres j under- 
standing that they had been discovered and their com- 
rades captured, the robbers hoped to avail themselves Of 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


91 


the opportunity afforded by the soldiers’ efforts in extin- 
guishing the flames, to make their own escape and liberate 
their friends. We soon saw the remaining six and their 
captain rush out of the masked entrance by the bushes ; 
but three guards were at this post ; each one drew his 
carbine before the robbers had time to use their arms. 
Two of the thieves fell, and the third let his pistol drop 
from his hands, his arm was broken. But the captain 
and the other three rushed furiously upon the soldiers, 
who, sabre in one hand and pistol in the other, fought 
like lions. Before the officer and the two soldiers guard- 
ing the opposite side of the convent had had time to 
come to their companions’ assistance, the combat was 
nearly ended and the robbers all either killed or wounded; 
the captain who still defended himself against a soldier, 
being the only one on his feet. His two comrades 
were dangerously wounded. The arrival of reinforce- 
ments ended the contest. In the twinkling of an eye, 
.the captain was surrounded, disarmed, gagged and put 
beside the other six. 

During this struggle the fire died out; in fact, nothing 
had been burning but some bushes and undergrowth, but 
the officer before penetrating into the vaults wished to 
await the arrival of the expected reinforcements* The 
night was well advanced, when we saw the six addb 
tional soldiers and the vehicle which was to take away 
the prisoners. They were placed in it side by side. The 
officer being humane, had given orders to remove the 
gags, and in consequence, the soldiers were loaded with 


92 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


all manner of abusive epithets, to which, however, they 
paid no attention. Two of them got into the wagon to 
escort the prisoners, and meanwhile litters were made to 
carry the wounded. 

During these preparations, I accompanied the officer, 
who, with eight men, penetrated into the vaults. We 
traversed a long corridor, which sloped downward, until 
at last we reached the vaults, where the brigands had 
established their dwelling. One of these caves served 
for their stable, and here we found all my comrades cap- 
tured that day, each one with a stone to his tail. The 
stones were immediately detached, and the donkeys 
began to bray in unison. Being underground, it was 
deafening. 

“ Silence ! donkeys ! ” said a soldier, “ unless you want 
your trinkets put on again.” 

“ Let them alone,” responded another soldier, “ you 
know very well they are sounding Cadichon’s praises.” 

“ I would prefer their doing it in another tone,” said 
the first soldier laughing. 

“ This man assuredly,” said I to myself, “ does not like 
music. What does he find to censure in my comrades’ 
voices.” Poor comrades ! they chanted their deliverance. 

We continued our inspection. One of the vaults was 
full of stolen goods. In another, were the prisoners kept 
to wait on them, some attended to the dishes, the cook- 
ing, the cleaning of the vaults, others made the clothing 
and shoes. Some of these unhappy creatures had been 
there for two years ; they were chained by twos, and had 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


93 


little bells to their arms and feet, so as to keep one 
always acquainted with their movements. Two robbers 
remained constantly with them as guards, and never 
more than two captives were allowed in the same vault, 
except those who made the clothing. The latter were all 
together whilst working, but during this time the end of 
their chain was attached to a ring fastened in the wall. 

I learned afterwards that these captives, about forty in 
number, were the visitors to the ruins, who had been dis- 
appearing for the last two years. They related how the 
robbers had killed before their eyes, three of them, who 
were sick, and one who obstinately refused to work. 

The soldiers delivered all these poor creatures, brought 
the donkeys to the castle, carried the wounded men to 
the hospital, and put the robbers in prison. The latter 
w T ere judged and condemned; the captain to death, the 
others to transportation to Cayenne. As for me, I was 
the universal subject of admiration ; wherever I went, I 
heard persons saying : 

“ It is Cadichon ! the famous Cadichon, worth all the 
donkeys in the country ! ” 


XIV. 


THERESA. 

My little mistresses, (for my masters and mistresses 
corresponded to the number of the grandmother’s grand- 
children,) had a cousin, of whom they were very fond. 
She was near their age, and their most intimate friend. 
Theresa was her name, and a good, hind little darling she 
was. She never touched me with a switch, and never 
permitted anyone to do so when she was on my back. 

In one of our promenades, my young mistresses came 
upon a little girl seated along the roadside. She rose at 
their approach and came limping towards them, asking 
alms. They were all touched at her sad, dejected appear- 
ance. 

“ Why do you limp, little one ? ” said Theresa. 

61 Because my shoes hurt me, miss.” 

“ Why don’t you ask your mamma to get you another 
pair ? ” 

“ I have no mamma, miss.” 

“ Ask your papa, then ? ” 

“ I have no papa, miss.” 

“ But with whom do you live ? ” 

“ With nobody, I live alone.” 

“ Who feeds you ? ” 


( 94 ) 



A little girl askel alms from them— (Page 94.) 


( 95 ) 

























• 













































; 



















































































































































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


97 


“ Sometimes nobody, sometimes everybody.” 

u How old are you ? ” 

{< I do not know, miss, about seven years perhaps.” 

“ Where do you sleep ? ” 

“ Wherever anybody takes me in ; when everybody 
drives me away, I sleep out-doors, under a tree, near a 
hedge, anywhere.” 

“ But in winter you must freeze.’’ 

<( I get cold, but I am used to it,” 

" Have you had any dinner to*day ? ” 

(( I have not eaten since yesterday.” 

s( Oh ! that is dreadful, dreadful,” said Theresa, with 
tears in her eyes. “ My dear cousins, wouldn’t your 
grandma give this poor little thing something to eat and 
let her sleep in the castle ? ” 

" Certainly,” answered the three cousins, “ grandma 
would be delighted, and, besides, she always does what 
we wish her to do.” 

" But, Theresa.” said Beatrice, “ how shall we get her 
to the house ? see how she limps.” 

( ( Put her on Cadiclion, and let us go on foot, instead 
of taking turns on Cadiclion, two by two, as we have 
been doing.” 

« Oh, to be sure ; what a good idea,” exclaimed the 
three cousins. 

They put the little girl on my back, and Maud gave 
her a piece of bread that had been left of their lunch. 
She was delighted to get a ride, but so great were her 

9 


98 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


fatigue and hunger, that she ate the bread with avidity, 
and said nothing. 

When we reached home, Maud and Elizabeth took the 
child into the kitchen, whilst Beatrice and Theresa ran 
to their grandmother. “ Grandma,” said Beatrice, u will 
you let us give a good little girl that we found on the 
road something to eat ? ” 

“ Certainly, my darling; but who is she ?” 

“I don’t know, grandma.” 

“ Where does she live ? ” 

(i Nowhere, grandma.” 

“ Nowhere ! how is that ? Her parents must live 
somewhere.” 

“ She has no parents, grandma, she is all alone.” 

“ And,” said Theresa, timidly, “ will you let the poor 
little thing sleep here ? ” 

“ If she really has no home, I could not turn her away ; 
but I must see her and speak to her.” 

So saying, she arose and went to the kitchen where the 
little girl was finishing her meal. She called the child, 
who came limping, questioned her and obtained the samo 
replies. It was truly an embarrassing case. To send 
this child away, plunging her again into the state of 
abandonment and suffering from which she had just been 
rescued, would be impossible ; but then what was to be 
done with her? who was to take charge of and raise 
her? 

“ Listen, my dear,” said the grandmother, “ you will 
eat and sleep here, whilst I make inquiries as to the truth 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


99 


of jour account, and in a few days I will see what I can 
do for you.” 

She then gave orders to prepare a bed for the child, 
and not to let her want for anything ; but the poor little 
creature was so filthy that no one wished to touch her or 
even come near her. Theresa was in despair ; she could 
not insist upon her aunt’s servants doing what was so 
repugnant to them. 

“ It was I,” thought she, “ who brought her here, and 
I am the one to have the care and trouble. But how 
shall I do?” 

After a moment’s reflection, an idea presented itself. 

“ Wait, my dear,” said she, “ I will be back presently.” 
And she ran to her mamma. 

“ Mamma,” said she, “ ought I not to take a bath ? ” 

“ Yes, Theresa, go now, your nurse is waiting for you.” 

“ Mamma, instead of taking a bath myself, would you 
let me give one to the little girl we have brought here ? ” 

“ What little girl ? I have not seen her.” 

“A poor, poor little thing, who has no papa, no mamma, 
no one to take care of her, who sleeps out*doors, and eats 
only what people give her. Maud’s grandma says she 
may stay at the castle, but none of the servants will 
touch her.” 

“ Why not ? ” 

“ Because she is so dirty, so dirty, she is disgusting ; 
then mamma, if you are willing, I will bathe her in my 
place, not to disgust nurse. I will undress and soap her 
myself, and I will cut her hair, which is all tangled and 
full of little white insects.” 


100 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONREV. 


“ But, my little Theresa, won’t it disgust you too, to 
touch and wash her ? 57 

“A little, mamma, hut when I think that if I were in 
her place, it would make me so happy to have somebody 
care for me, I feel encouraged. And mamma, when she 
is washed, will you let me put some of my old clothes on 
her, till I buy her new ones ? ” 

“ Certainly, my dear little Theresa, but how can you 
buy her clothing \ You have only two or three francs, 
about enough to get her a chemise.” 

“ Oh ! mamma, you forgot my twenty franc piece ! ” 

“ That you gave your papa to keep for you, so you 
would not spend it ? I thought you were saving that to 
buy a beautiful prayer book like Maud’s.” 

“ I would rather do without the beautiful prayer book, 
mamma, I still have my old one.” 

“ Do as you wish, my child, whenever there is a ques- 
tion of doing good, I leave you free to use your own 
pleasure.” 

Her mamma embraced her, and then went with her to 
see this little girl that no one would touch. 

“ If she has any disease of the skin, that Theresa can 
catch, I shall not let Theresa touch her,” said the mother. 

The little girl still waited at the door. A careful 
examination of her hands and body revealed no traces of 
disease, but a great deal of dirt. Her hair was so full of 
vermin, that making her sit on the grass, Theresa’s 
mamma cut it close to her head, without touching it with 
her hands. When it was all on the grass, she took it up 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 101 

on a shovel, and told one of the servants to throw it 
away out of reach. Then in a tub of tepid water, with 
Theresa’s assistance, she gave the little beggar’s head a 
thorough washing and cleaning. Having wiped it, she 
said to Theresa : u How, my pet, 
whilst you give her a bath, I 
will throw these rags in the fire.” 

Maud, Beatrice and Elizabeth 
came to Theresa’s assistance; 
they all four led her into the 
bath room and undressed her, 
in spite of the disgusting odor 
of her rags and dirt. Then 
eagerly plunging her in the 
water, they soaped her from 
head to foot. The operation 
was such a pleasant one to all 
parties, both the little girl and 
her friends, that she was kept 
in somewhat longer than ne- 
cessity required. When the bathing was over, and 
she had expressed her satisfaction, the four assisted her 
out of the bath tub. Then after wiping and rubbing 
her skin until it was very red and as dry as a ham bone, 
they arrayed her in a chemise, a petticoat and a dress 
belonging to Theresa, all of which answered the purpose, 
because Theresa, like other little girls in her station, 
Wore her clothes very short, whilst the little beggar’s 
Were expected to reach her ankles. The waist was some^ 

9 * 



102 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


wliat long, but not being excessively particular, everyone 
was pleased. When about to put on her shoes and 
stockings, the children perceived a sore upon the instep. 
It was this which had made her limp. Maud immedi- 
ately ran to her gradmother for some salve. The grand- 
mother gave what was necessary, and Maud, assisted by 
her three friends, one of whom steadied the little girl, 
whilst a second held her foot, and a third unrolled the 
bandage and applied the liniment. They were nearly 
one quarter of an hour arranging a compress and band ; 
sometimes it was too tight, sometimes not tight enough ; 
the band was too high, or the compress too low ; they 
disputed and jerked the sore foot first this way and then 
that, the owner, meanwhile, not daring to object or utter 
a complaint. At last, however, the bandage was arranged 
satisfactorily, a pair of Theresa’s old stockings and slip- 
pers put on her feet, and the little beggar relieved of her 
kind waiting maids’ attentions. When she returned to 
the kitchen no one recognized her. 

“This is certainly not the little fright that just went 
out of here,” said one servant. 

“ It is the same child,” replied another servant, “ but 
no one would know it, she looks so genteel now.” 

“It is all lost time for Madame d’Arbe and the chil- 
dren to fix her up like that. As for me, I would not 
have touched her if they had given me twenty francs,” 
said the cook. 

“ And she smelt so bad,” said the kitchen girl. 

u T on ought not to have such a sensitive nose, my 


Como, come,” interposed the cook, “ don’t go too far.”— cPage 105.) 





(103) 










THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


105 


fair one,” replied the coachman, “ yon who have your 
gridirons, your saucepans and all such things to clean.” 

“ My gridirons and saucepans are not strong of the 
stable, like some people I know,” was the kitchen girl’s 
answer, somewhat piqued. 

“ Ah ! ah ! ah ! she is angry, take care of the broom ! ” 
said the other servants. 

“ If she takes hers, I know very well where to find 
mine,” said the coachman, “ and the pitchfork and curry- 
comb.” 

“ Come, come,” interposed the cook, “ don’t go too far ; 
she is passionate, and you know you must not irritate 
her.” 

“ What is that to me? if she gets angry, so will I.” 

“ But I do not want that here ; madam does not like 
disputes ; it is very certain that we all would come in for 
a share of the blame.” 

“Le Vatel is right,” said another servant. “Hush, 
Thomas, you are always getting up a quarrel. Besides, 
this is not your place.” 

“Indeed! my place is anywhere, when I have no 
stable work to do.” 

“ But you have work to do,” replied the cook. “ Look 
at Cadichon, not yet unsaddled, and walking up and 
down like a countryman waiting for his dinner.” 

“I believe Cadichon listens at the doors; he is more 
cunning than he seems; he is a real scamp of a donkey,” 
said the coachman, as he called me, and taking hold of 
my bridle, led me to the stable. Having unbridled and 


106 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


unsaddled me, lie left me alone, that is, with two horses 
and another donkey, with none of whom I ever deigned 
to converse. 

I know not what took place that evening at the castle, 
hut the next afternoon I was saddled, and w T ith the little 
beggar on my back, my four little mistresses following 
on foot, we all went to the village. I learned from their 
conversation that they were on a shopping expedition 
for their protegS. Theresa wished to furnish the outfit 
entire, the others insisted on paying their share, and the 
dispute grew so animated, that had I not stopped at the 
store of myself, they would have passed it. In helping 
the little girl to get down, they nearly pitched her face 
foremost on the ground, for all darted at her at once ; 
one caught her by the legs, another by the arms, a third 
by the waist, whilst Elizabeth, who was stronger than 
two or three of the others put together, pushed them 
away so that she could help the child off all by herself. 
Pulled here and there, the poor thing began to cry of 
fright, until she attracted the attention of passers by. 
The store-keeper opened the door: 

“Good morning, young ladies, let me help you, you 
are not strong enough to lift this little girl.” 

My young mistresses, satisfied at not having yielded to 
one another, relinquished their hold on the child and the 
store-keeper immediately lifted her off my back. 

“What will you have, young ladies?” said Madam 
J uivet. 

“ We want to get materials for clothing for this little 
girl,” answered Beatrice. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


107 


“ Oh, certainly ; is it a dress, a petticoat, or undergar- 
ments you wish ? ” 

“ We want materials for all, Madam Juivet,” answered 
Maud ; “ let us have enough to make three chemises, one 
petticoat, one dress, one apron, one neckerchief, two 
bonnets.” 

“ Let me speak, Maud,” whispered Theresa, “ since I am 
going to pay.” 

“ No, you are not going to pay all, we wish to pay 
part,” was the whispered answer. 

“ But I would rather pay alone,” said Theresa in the 
same tone, “ she is my girl.” 

“ No, she isn’t, she belongs to us all,” said Maud. 

“ What materials do you prefer? ” interrupted Madam 
Juivet, impatient to sell. 

Whilst Maud and Theresa continued their dispute in 
an undertone, Beatrice and Elizabeth took advantage of 
the opportunity to make the purchases. 

“ Good bye, Madam Juivet,” said they, “ send it home 
as soon as possible, and enclose the bill also.” 

“ How is that ! ” exclaimed Maud and Theresa, “ have 
you already bought the things ? ” 

“ Yes,” answered Beatrice, with a mischievous air, “ wo 
selected all that was necessary whilst ydu two were 
talking.” 

“But you ought to have consulted our tastes too,” 
replied Maud. 

“ Certainly, since I am the person who pays,” said 
Theresa. 


108 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ We’ll all pay, we’ll all pay ! ” cried the other three 
in chorus. 

“ How much is it ? ” inquired Theresa. 

“ Thirty- two francs, miss.” 

“ Thirty-two francs! ” exclaimed the frightened Theresa, 
“ but I have only twenty.” 

“Ah ! we’ll pay the rest,” said Maud. 

“ So much the better, as we will then have all helped 
to clothe her,” said Elizabeth, 

“ So thanks to Madam Juivet, we are at last agreed, 
and it was not such an easy matter,” said Beatrice laugh- 
ing. 

Through the open door, I had heard all, and was indig- 
nant at Madam Juivet, for she had charged my kind 
little mistresses at least double the value of their goods. 
I hoped their mammas would not consent to the imposi- 
tion. We returned home, every one pleased, thanks to 
Madam Juivet, as Beatrice had innocently remarked. 

It was beautiful weather, and all were seated on the 
lawn in front of the house when we arrived, William, 
Henry, Louis and James had been fishing in one of the 
ponds, during our trip to the village, and had just 
returned with three fine fishes and a number of little 
ones. Whilst Louis and James took off my saddle and 
bridle, the four little girls gave their mammas an account 
of their purchases. 

“ What did they come to? ” said Theresa’s mamma. 
“ How much is left of your twenty franc piece ? ” 

Theresa was a little embarrassed, and blushed slightly 
as she answered : 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


109 


“ Nothing, mamma.” 

“ Nothing ! twenty francs to dress a child six or seven 
years old ! ” said Maud’s mamma. “ That is dreadfully 
high ! what have you bought ? ” 

Theresa could not tell, she could only say that Beatrice 
and Elizabeth had made the selection. 

But the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of 
Madam Juivet with the package, much to the delight of 
Beatrice and Elizabeth, who were beginning to think 
they had made a bad bargain. 

“ Good day, Madam Juivet,” said the grandmother,” 
“ open your package here on the lawn and let us see 
what these little girls have bought.” 

Making a salutation, Madam Juivet laid down her 
bundle, undid it, and after taking from it the bill, which 
she handed Beatrice, proceeded to display the goods. 

Beatrice had blushed on receiving the bill ; her grand- 
mother took it from her hands and uttered an exclama* 
tion of surprise. 

“ Thirty-two francs to dress a little beggar ! Madam 
J uivct,” added she, in a severe tone, “ you have taken 
advantage of my grandchildren’s ignorance ; you know 
very well that these materials are entirely too expensive 
for our purpose. You will take them all back, and know 
that hereafter we deal no more with you.” 

“ Madam,” said Madam Juivet, with restrained wrath, 
“ these young ladies consulted their own tastes, I did not 
make the selection of a single article.” 

“ But you ought to have shown them only what was 
10 


110 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


suitable, and not have tried to palm off on them jour old 
merchandise that no one wants.” 

“ Madam, these joung ladies having bought my goods, 
ought to pay for them.” 

“ They will pay for none of them,” replied the grand- 
mother, in a tone of severity, “and you may take them 
all back. Go, immediately ; I shall send my maid to 
make the necessary purchases of Madam Jourdan.” 

Madam Juivet retired in a terrible rage. I accompa- 
nied her to the road, braying triumphantly and frisking 
around her, much to the children’s amusement and her 
own terror, for feeling guilty, she feared my vengeance, 
as everybody considered me somewhat of a sorcerer, and 
consequently evil doers stood greatly in awe of me. 

The mammas scolded the children, the boys laughed at 
them ; as for me, I quietly nibbled the grass, and watched 
them run, skip and play. Listening meantime to all 
that was said (for I always took good care to keep within 
hearing distance). I learned that next day there was to 
be a gunning party, that Henry and William were to 
have little muskets for the occasion, and also, that one of 
their young neighbors was invited to join them. 


XV. 

THE GUNNING PARTY. 

As I have already remarked there was to he a gunning 
expedition next day, William and Henry were ready 
before anyone else — it was their first appearance as gun- 
ners — so equipped with guns and game bags, their eyes 
sparkling with pleasure, they strutted around in a proud j 
defiant manner, as if they expected to shoot all the game 
in the country. I followed at a distance, and observed 
all their preparations for the expedition. 

“ William,” said Henry in a thoughtful manner, 
“ when our game bags are full, where shall we put the 
rest of our game ? 99 

That is just what I was thinking of,” answered Wil- 
liam, “ I will ask papa to let us take Cadichon.” 

This idea did not please me at all ; I knew that young 
gunners fired a little at random and in aiming at a par- 
tridge, they might send the load into me, so I anxiously 
awaited the result of the request. 

“ Papa,” said William to his father who approached, 
“ may we take Cadichon ? ” 

“ For what ? ” answered the father laughing, “ do yon 
wish to gun on donkey back, and pursue the partridges 

(in) 


112 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


in their flight? If so, you must first put wings to 
Cadichon.” 

“ No, papa,” said Henry, a little vexed, “ we want him 
to carry our game when our pouches are too full.” 

“ To carry your game 1 ” replied his father greatly sur- 
prised and still laughing. “ You think then, poor inno- 
cents, you are going to kill not only something, but a 
great deal!” 

" Certainly papa,” was Henry’s piqued reply, “ I have 
twenty cartridges in my vest, and I shall kill fifteen 
pieces of game, at least.” 

“Ah! ah! ah! that is really a good joke! Do you 
know what you will kill, you two and your friend 
Alfred ? ” 

“What papa,” 

“ Time and nothing else.” 

“Well papa,” said Henry, very much annoyed, “ why 
do you give us guns, and take us out gunning, if you 
think us so stupid and awkward as to kill nothing ? ” 

“ To teach you to gun, little dunces, nobody is a suc- 
cessful gunner at first, one becomes so only by dint of 
practice.” 

Here the conversation was interrupted by the arrival 
of Alfred, also ready to shoot all he came across. Wil- 
liam and Henry were still flushed with indignation 
when Alfred joined them. 

“ Papa thinks we are not going to shoot anything, 
Alfred,” said William, “ we’ll convince him that we are 
better gunners than he thinks.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


113 


“ Don’t worry about it ; we shall kill more than them- 
selves,” replied Alfred. 

“ Why more ? ” inquired Henry. 

“ Because we are young, active and nimble, whilst our 
papas are getting a little old.” 

“Yes indeed,” said Henry, “my papa is forty-two 
years old, whilst William is fifteen and I thirteen. What 
a difference ! ” 

“ And between my papa and me too ! He is forty- three, 
whilst I am but fourteen ! ” said Alfred. 

“ Listen to me,” said William, “ without telling papa, 
I am going to have Cadichon saddled and the panniers 
put on him. He will follow us, and we will make him 
carry our game.” 

“ Oh, that is splendid ! ” replied Alfred, “ but put on 
the big panniers, for if we were to kill a buck it would 
take up a great deal of room.” 

Henry was charged with the commission. I laughed 
to myself at their foresight, for I was very sure not only 
of not being loaded with a buck, but of returning with 
panniers as empty as at my departure. 

“Ready 1” said the papas. “We will go ahead, and 
you boys keep near. We will disband on getting into 
the field.” 

“What does this mean, Cadichon following us?” said 
William’s father in great surprise, “ Cadichon orna- 
mented with two enormous baskets ! ” 

“ Those baskets,” said the game keeper laughing, “ are 
to carry the young gentlemen’s game.” 

10* 


114 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Ah ! ah ! they wish to put him at their head — I 
would prefer Cadichon’s following (if he has nothing else 
to do,) instead of taking the lead,” replied William’s 
father. 

And he smiled as he glanced at William and Henry, 
who tried to look very indifferent. 

“ Is your gun cocked, William ? ” inquired Henry. 

“ Hot yet, it is so hard to cock and uncock, that I pre- 
fer waiting till a partridge starts up.” 

“We are now in the field,” said their papa, “ keep in 
a line and shoot ahead, straight ahead of you, not to the 
right or the left, unless you want to kill some of us.” 

The partridges flew up on all sides ; I remained pru- 
dently behind, and even at a little distance, finding it 
advisable, for more than one dog that happened to be in 
the way, got a few grains of shot. The dogs scented the 
game, started it up, and did their duty in every respect, 
reports of muskets were heard all along the line. I did 
not lose sight of my three young boasters, they fired often, 
but got nothing, none of the three even touched a hare 
or partridge. Their impatience was so great that they 
always fired out of range, either too far or too near; 
sometimes all three aimed in vain at the same partridge. 
The papas on the contrary, were having fine sport, each 
report of the gun representing an addition to their game 
bags. In about two hours, Henry and William’s papa 
came up to them. 

“Well, children,” said he, “is Cadichon very heavily 
laden ? Is there still room for me to empty my game 
bag ? for it is too full.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


115 


There was no answer; the boys knew from their 
father’s mischievous manner, that he was making sport 
of them. As for me, I came running up, and turned one 
of the baskets towards him. 

“ How is this ? ” said he, “ empty! your game bags will 
burst if you cram them.” 

The game bags were flat. Laughing at the young 
gunners’ discomfitted air, he emptied his birds into one 
of my baskets and hastened to his dog which was start- 
ing more game. 

“ I see how your father kills so many partridges,” said 
Alfred ; “ he has two dogs that scare up the game and 
bring it to him, when he kills it ; as for us, they have 
not left us even one dog.” 

“ That is true,” replied Henry, “ perhaps we have 
killed a number of partridges, but have lost them for 
want of a dog to bring them to us.” 

“ But I have not seen any fall,” said William. 

“ Because a partridge does not fall as soon as it is 
shot,” said Alfred, ‘‘It flies a little and falls some dis- 
tance off.” 

“But when papa and my uncles shoot,” persisted 
AVilliam, “ their partridges fall immediately.” 

“ It seems so to you,” explained Alfred, “ because you 
are some ways off, but if you were in their place, you 
would notice the difference.” 

AVilliam said nothing, but his manner betrayed very 
little confidence in Alfred’s words. They had all begun 
to leave off somewhat of the proud, soldierly air with 
which they sallied forth as gunners. 


116 


THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


They commenced to inquire the hour. 

“ I am hungry,” said Henry. 

“ I am thirsty,” said Alfred. 

“ I am tired,” said William. 

As to the papas, they fired and killed, and had plenty 
of luck. However, not forgetting their young compan- 
ions, and not wishing to fatigue them too much, they 
proposed a halt for breakfast, which met with universal 
approbation. Calling in the dogs from the field to rest 
for awhile, they all directed their steps towards a farm 
about a hundred steps off, where the grandmother had 
sent the provisions. 

They seated themselves on the ground under an old 
oak, and opened the baskets, which displayed as usual on 
such occasions, a chicken pie, a ham, hard eggs, cheese, 
marmalade, preserves, a big bun, an enormous cake and 
several bottles of old wine. All the gunners, young and 
old, had fine appetites, and ate enough to have aston- 
ished a spectator. Yet the grandmother had provided 
so bountifully for the needs of the most voracious, that 
half the provisions remained for the game-keepers and 
farm people. The dogs had the scraps to appease their 
hunger and pond water to quench their thirst. 

“ You have not had much luck, children,” said Alfred’s 
papa. “ Cadichon does not move as if he were heavily 
laden.” 

“ It is no wonder, papa, we had no dogs, you had them 
all.” 

“Ah ! you think then that one, two or three dogs would 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


117 


have insured the death of all the partridges that passed 
under your nose.” 

“ No, papa, they would not have killed the partridges, 
but they would have sought and brought us those we had 
killed, and then — ” 

“ Those you killed ! ” interrupted the father, with an 
air of astonishment. “Do 'you really think you have 
killed any birds ? ” 

“ Certainly, papa, only as we did not see them fall, we 
could not pick them up.” 

“And do you suppose you would not have seen them if 
they had fallen ? ” 

“ No, papa, for our sight is not as keen as that of the 
dogs.” 

At this, the father, the uncles, and even the game- 
keepers, burst into a loud laugh, wdiilst the children red- 
dened with vexation. 

“ Now listen,” said William and Henry’s father, 
“ since you lose your game for want of dogs, we are going 
to let you have a dog, when we get through breakfast 
and commence to gun again.” 

“ But, papa,” said William, “the dogs will not follow 
us, they do not know us as well as they do you.” 

“ To make them follow you, we will give you the two 
attendants, and we will not start for a half hour after 
you, and then the dogs will not be tempted to rejoin us.” 

“ Oh ! thanks, papa,” exclaimed William, radiant with 
joy. “ With the dogs we are sure to kill as many as 
you ! ” 


118 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


Breakfast over and all rested, the young gunners were 
eager to set out with the dogs and the guards. 

“ Now we look like real gunners,” said they, with an 
air of satisfaction. 

And we tried the field again, I following them as 
before breakfast, but always at a little distance. The 
guards had been told to keep near the children in order 
to prevent any imprudence. The partridges flew up on 
all sides as in the morning, the young gentlemen fired as 
in the morning, and with like success. Yet the dogs did 
their duty, they sought, they stopped the birds, but 
brought none, for this reason only, there were none to 
bring. At last, Alfred impatient at firing to no purpose 
and seeing one of the dogs standing the game, concluded 
that he would fire before the partridges had flown up, and 
thus secure his prize indeed. He aimed, he fired— *tlie 
dog fell, struggling and uttering a piercing howl. 

“ Zounds ! it is our best dog ! ” exclaimed the game- 
keeper rushing towards it. 

But the dog was dead ere he reached it, it had been 
shot in the head and died almost instantly. 

“ You made a fine shot that time, master Alfred,” said 
the guard, laying the poor animal down, “ I suppose that 
ends the gunning.” 

Alfred was motionless with consternation, William and 
Henry seemed much affected at the dog’s death, whilst 
the gamekeeper concealed his wrath and looked at the 
poor creature without saying a word. 

I approached to see which dog had been the miserable 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


119 


victim of Alfred’s awkwardness and conceit, and what 
w T as not my sorrow, my anguish, on recognizing Medor, 
my friend, my dearest friend! and oh ! imagine my hor- 
ror to see the guard lift Medor up, and put him in one 
of the baskets on my back ! Ah ! behold the game I 
was condemned to carry, Medor, my friend, murdered by 
a bad, stupid, conceited boy ! 

We returned to the farm not quite so merry as we left, 
the children not speaking a word, the guard occasionally 
letting fall a furious oath, and I feeling no consolation, 
except in the thought of the severe, humiliating repri- 
mand the murderer would surely receive. 

On reaching the farm we found the papas still there, 
for not having their dogs, they preferred to rest till tho 
children’s return. 

“Already ! ” they exclaimed at the sight of us. 

“ I really believe,” said AVilliam’s papa, “ they have 
killed a big piece of game of some sort. Cadichon walks 
as if he had a load, and one of tho baskets hangs as if it 
contained something heavy.” 

They arose and came towards us, but the children, 
with rueful countenances, lagged behind. Their parents 
were struck with their demeanor, what could it mean? 

“ They certainly have not the air of victors,” said 
Alfred’s father, laughing, 

“ Perhaps they have killed a calf or a sheep, mistaking 
it for a rabbit,” answered William’s papa, also laughing. 

The gamekeeper approached. 

“ What’s the matter, Michaud ? you look as downcast 
as the gunners.” 


120 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


“And with cause, sir, we bring a sad game ,’ 5 

“ Tell us what it is then, a sheep, a calf, a donkey ? ” 

“Ah ! sir, it is nothing to laugh at, it is your dog, 
Medor, the very best of the band, that master Alfred has 
killed, taking him for a partridge.” 

“ Medor ! Oh ! the awkward boy ! if ever he guns 
here again — ” exclaimed the poor dog’s master. 

“ Come here, Alfred,” said his father, “ you see now 
the result of your conceit and ridiculous presumption. 
Say good-bye to your friends, sir ; you are going home 
immediately, and you will put your gun away in my 
room, to touch it no more until you have learned a little 
sense and modesty. 

“ But, papa,” answered Alfred, assuming an air of 
indifference, “ I don’t know why you should get so angry, 
it often happens that the dogs are killed on gunning 
parties.” 

“ The dogs ! the dogs are killed ! ” exclaimed the stupe- 
fied father, “ indeed this is too much! You have beauti- 
ful notions of gunning, sir ! ” 

“ But, papa,” continued Alfred, still apparently indif- 
ferent, “ everybody knows that very often the best gum 
ners kill their dogs accidentally.” 

“ My dear friends,” said his father, turning towards 
the other gentlemen, “ will you excuse me for having 
brought such an ill-mannered boy here ? I did not 
believe him capable of so much stupidity and impudence.” 

Then to his son : 

“ You have my orders, sir, go ! ” 


121 


\ 

THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

“ But, papa — ” 

“ Silence ! I tell you,” answered the father in a tone of 
severity, “not one word, if you don’t want to make 
acquaintance with my ramrod ! ” 

Alfred hung his head and went off, covered with con- 
fusion. 

“ You see, children,” said William and Henry’s 
papa to them, “ you see the result of presumption ; that 
is, belief in a merit or quality which one does not possess. 
What happened with Alfred, might have happened with 
you also. You were all so convinced that nothing was 
easier than to be an expert marksman, you had nothing 
to do but to take aim, and the game was yours. You 
have all three been ridiculous since morning, you have 
despised our counsels, our experience, and in fact, you 
are all three guilty of poor Medor’s death. I see that 
you are both too young for gunning. In a year or two 
you may try it again. Meantime, return to your gar- 
dens and other childish amusements, it will be the better 
for everyone,” 

William and Henry hung their heads and made no 
answer, but sadly returned to the house. My unfortu- 
nate friend Medor, whose history I am going to relate to 
you, was buried in the garden by the children them- 
selves, who wished to perform this last mournful rite for 
their pet. After reading the following sketch of his life, 
you will see why I loved him so much. 


11 


XVI. 


MEDOR. 

I had known Medor a long time ; I was young, and 
lie still younger, when we became acquainted and formed 
mutual and inalterable attachment. I was then living 
miserably with those wretched farmers who had bought 
me from a dealer in donkeys, and from whom I escaped 
so cleverly. I was quite thin, for really they never gave 
me enough to eat. Medor (presented to them as a good 
watch dog, and afterwards proving himself a superb 
hunting dog) fared better than I; he amused the chil- 
dren, who often gave him bread and scraps of their meals ; 
moreover, as he acknowledged to me himself, whenever it 
was possible, he used to slip into the dairy with the mis- 
tress or servant, where he was always sure to find some 
means of lapping a little milk or cream, and seizing the 
particles of butter which fell from the churn. Medor 
was kind; my lean, miserable appearance excited his 
pity, and one day he brought me a piece of bread, pre- 
senting it with a most triumphant air. 

“ Eat, my poor friend,” said he, in his language, “ I 
have bread enough given me for my own sustenance, and 
you, you have only thistles and poor grass, and hardly 
enough of these to keep you alive.” 


( 122 ) 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


123 


“ Good Medor,” said I, “ I am sure you have deprived 
yourself of this for me. I do not suffer so much as you 
think, for I am used to meagre fare, little sleep, much 
work and hard beatings.” 

“I am not hungry, my friend,” replied Medor, “I assure 
you, I am not hungry. Prove your friendship for me by 
accepting my little present. It is trifling I know, but I 
offer it willingly, and if you persist in refusing, I shall 
feel quite grieved.” 

“Then I accept, my kind Medor,” said I, “because I 
am fond of you, and I must confess, that I shall relish it 
greatly, for I am hungry.” 

And I ate the bread good Medor had brought me, he 
keenly enjoying the eagerness with which I crunched and 
swallowed it. I felt thoroughly revived by this unac- 
customed repast, and said so to Medor, believing I could 
thus best express my gratitude. The result was charac- 
teristic of Medor, every day he brought me the biggest 
piece of bread given him. In the evening, he used to 
come and lie down beside me under the tree or bush I 
had selected for my night’s shelter, and we thus enjoyed 
many a pleasant conversation. Had no one suspected, 
or could have understood, for we conversed without talk- 
ing. We other animals, we do not pronounce our words 
like men, but we understand one another by winks, 
motions of the head, the ears, the tail, and we converse 
among ourselves as readily as men. 

One evening Medor came to me quite sad and de- 
jected. 


124 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“My friend,” said he, I fear I shall no longer be able 
to bring you a part of my bread; my masters have de- 
cided that 1 am big enough to be tied all day, and let loose 
only at night. Moreover, my mistress has scolded the 
children for giving me so much bread ; she has forbidden 
them to feed me at all, because she wishes to feed me her- 
self and that sparely, to make me a good watcli dog, she 
says.” 

“My kind Medor,” said I, “if it is the thought of my 
losing the bread that frets you, compose yourself, 1 no 
longer need it, for this morning I discovered a hole in 
the side of the hay rack, from which I have already help- 
ed myself to a little hay, and I find that I can easily do 
so every day.” 

“ Indeed ! ” exclaimed Medor, “I am so glad ! but yet it 
gave me such pleasure to share my bread with you. And 
then to be tied all day, and see you only at night, it is 
really sad ! ” 

Me conversed a long time and it was very late when 
he left me. 

“I shall have time enough to sleep during the day,” 
said he, “and you too, as you are not kept very busy 
either at this season.” 

All the next day passed indeed without my seeing poor 
Medor. Towards evening, I was impatiently awaiting 
him, when his cries reached my ears. Eunning to the 
hedge, I saw that wicked woman, the farmer’s wife hold- 
ing my kind friend by the skin of his neck, whilst Edward 
beat him with a carriage whip. I dashed through a breach 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


125 


in the hedge, caught Edward by the arm, and bit him in 
snch a fashion that the vdiip fell from his hands. The 
wicked woman released her hold on Medor, who escaped ; 
this was all I wanted, so I let go Edward’s arm, and was 
about returning to my enclosure, when I felt myself seized 
by the ears. It was the farmer’s wife, who in a rage 
called out to Edward : 

“Give me the big whip, till I beat this vicious animal ! 
There never was a worse donkey in the world ! Give it 
to me, or whack him yourself ! ” 



“I can’t lift my arm,” said Edward in tears, “it is 
numb.” 

Seizing the whip that lay on the ground, she ran at me 
to avenge her cruel son. I was not fool enough to wait 
for her, you may be sure. Just as she had nearly caught 
me, I made a leap and left her some distance behind, she 
continued to pursue me, and I to escape, taking great 
care to keep myself out of reach of the w T hip. This race 
amused me very much ; I saw my mistress’s wrath increase 
in proportion to her fatigue. I could run and sweat 
without doing myself the slightest harm, whilst she, cov- 
ered with perspiration, was completely exhausted, with- 
11* 


126 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKLY. 


out having had the pleasure of giving me even one lash 
of the whip. My friend was sufficiently avenged when 
our promenade ended. I sought him with my eyes 
(for I had seen him run towards my enclosure), but in 
vain, he was afraid to show himself before the departure 
of his cruel mistress. 

“ You wretch! cried the enraged woman as she turned 



to leave, “ I will pay you up for all this when I get you 
under the saddle!’’ and she went towards the house, 
whilst I remained alone. 

I now ventured to call Medor. He timidly lifted his 
head from the hole in which he had sought refuge. I 
ran to him. 

“Come,” said I, “she is-gone. What did you do? 
why did Edward beat you ? ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


127 


“Because I seized a piece of bread one of the children 
had dropped on the ground. She saw me, darted at me, 
and calling Edward, told him to beat me unmercifully.” 

“ Did no one try to defend you ? ” 

“ Defend me indeed ! they all cried out, that’s right ! 
whip him Edward, so he won’t do it again. ‘Keep 
quiet,’ said Edward, ‘ I shall not go half way in the mat- 
ter, you’ll hear how I can make him sing.’ And at my 
first cry, they all clapped their hands, exclaiming bravo ! 
bravo ! ” 

“ Wicked little creatures ! ” cried I. “ But why did 
you take the bread, Medor ? Had they not given you 
your supper 1 ” 

“ Ye3 indeed, I had already eaten, but the bread in my 
soup was in such small pieces, that I could not get any 
of it out for you, but, if I could have carried off that big 
piece the child dropped, you would have had a delight- 
ful repast.” 

“ My poor Medor ! and it was for me you were beaten ! 
Thanks, my friend, thanks ; I shall never forget your 
kindness ! But let me entreat you to not repeat it! Do 
you suppose that that bread would have given me any 
pleasure, if I had known what risks you ran to get it ? 
I would rather a hundred times live on thistles, knowing 
that you were well treated and happy.” 

We conversed a long time, and I made Medor promise 
never again to incur the danger of a beating on my 
account ; I also promised him that I would play all sorts 
of tricks oti these people, and I kept my word. One day 


128 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I knocked Edward and his sister into a puddle of water, 
and then ran off, leaving them struggling in the mud. 
Another time, I ran at the little three year old boy, as 
if I were going to bite him, how his screams of terror 
rejoiced my heart ! Again, pretending to have the colic, 
I rolled on the ground with a heavy load of eggs on my 
back ; every egg was smashed. My mistress, though 
furious, did not dare strike me, she believed I was really 
sick, that I was going to die, and they would lose all the 
money I had cost them, so instead of beating me, she led 
me back to the stable, and gave me some hay and bran. 
I never played a better trick in my life, and that evening 
Medor and I almost hurt ourselves laughing over it. 
Another time, seeing all their linen spread out on the 
hedge to dry, I took every piece in my teeth, one by one, 
and threw it into the barnyard pool. No one had seen 
me do this ; so when the mistress could not find her linen, 
and when, at last after a search in every direction, it was 
discovered just where I have told you, she flew into a 
terrible rage, and beat the servant, who beat the children, 
who beat the cats, the dogs, the calves, the sheep ! Oh ! 
it was a charming uproar to me, every body screamed 
and was furious. Medor and I certainly passed a gay 
evening. 

In my subsequent reflexions upon these wicked deeds, 
I have sincerely reproached myself, for I revenged upon 
the innocent the faults of the guilty. Medor sometimes 
censured me and advised moderation, but no, I would not 
listen, every day I got worse and worse, only however to 


She flew into a terrible rage.— (Page 128.) 





( 129 ) 





















































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


131 


suffer for it, my evil conduct bringing its own punish- 
ment as you will learn hereafter. 

One day (and a sad day it w r as for me,) a gentleman 
who was passing took a fancy to Medor and offered the 
farmer a hundred francs for him. The farmer, believing 
him a dog of very little account, was delighted, and my 
poor friend with a rope around his neck, disappeared 
with his new master, He cast a sorrowful glance at me, 
and in vain did I run from one side of the hedge to the 
other seeking a passage, every breach was closed, and I 
had not even the consolation of bidding my dear Medor 
farewell. From that day, life there was almost insup- 
portable. Medor’s departure was just before the little 
episode of market day, and my subsequent flight into the 
forest of St. Evroult, wdiich I have already related. 
During the years that followed, I often, very often 
thought of my friend, and the pleasure it would be to see 
him again, but where seek him? for I knew his new 
master did not live in that part of the country, but was 
only there on a visit to some friends. 

Judge of my happiness, some time after little James 
had brought me to your grandmother’s, at seeing arrive 
with your uncle and cousins William and Henry, my 
friend, my dear friend Medor ! He recognized me at 
once, and covered me with caresses, I responding to them, 
and following him everywhere. Our cordiality excited 
great surprise, but all attributed it to Medor’s delight at 
being in the country, and mine in finding a companion 
for my promenades. If they had been able to under- 


132 


THE AD VENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


stand our long conversation they would have known the 
cause of our mutual affection. 

Medor was much pleased at all I told him of my 
present calm and peaceful life, of my master’s kindness, 
of my excellent and even glorious reputation throughout 
this part of the country. He sympathized with me in 
the recital of my pitiful adventures, and he laughed, 
though blaming me, at the tricks I had played on the 
farmer who bought me from George’s father. He actually 
was puffed up with pride when I told him of my victory 
at the race ; he deplored the ingratitude of poor Pauline’s 
parents, and shed tears over the sad fate of that unhappy 
child. 


XVII. 

THE SCHOOL CHILDREN. 

One day Medor strayed off from the house where ho 
had been born, and had always lived quite comfortably. 
He was in pursuit of a cat that had stolen a piece of 
meat given him by the cook, who thought it a little 
tainted. Medor, not being so delicate, had just put it 
down by his kennel, when a cat concealed near by, darted 
at the meat and carried it off, much to my friend’s indig- 
nation, as he was not often regaled on such luxuries. He 
pursued the thief with all the speed of his limbs, and 
would soon have caught her, if, wicked cat that she was, 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 133 

slic had not bethought herself of climbing a tree. Medor, 
of course could not follow, and he was tantalized with 
seeing her devour before his eyes, the delicious morsel of 
which she had robbed him. Justly irritated at such 
effrontery, he remained at the foot of the tree, barking, 
growling and uttering a thousand reproaches. This 
attracted the attention of some children just out of 
school, and they united with Medor in annoying her. 
They even attacked her with stones until at last it was a 
veritable shower. The cat climbed higher, and tried to 
conceal herself in the thickest foliage. But this did not 
stop them, the shower of stones continued, accompanied 
by loud hurrahs, whenever a plaintiff mewing informed 
her persecutors. that she had been hit. 

Medor began to weary of this game ; the enemy’s 
touching cries had appeased his wrath and he feared that 
the children were too cruel. To end their sport ho com- 
menced to bark at them, and pull them by the blouse, 
but it had no effect, save that of causing a few stones to 
be directed against himself. At last, a hoarse, horrible 
cry, followed by a rustling among the branches, an- 
nounced their success, the poor cat was grievously 
wounded, and had fallen from the tree. One minute 
after, she was not only wounded, but dead, her head hav- 
ing been crushed by a stone. This was a source of rejoic- 
ing to the mischievous children, who ought to have wept 
over their cruelty. As for Medor, he regarded his enemy 
with compassion, and the boys with an air of keen 
12 


134 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


reproach. Just as he was about to return to the house, 
one of ' them exclaimed : 

“ Oh! let us give him a bath in the river, it would be so 
amusing! ” 

“ Yes indeed, what a splendid idea,” cried the others, 
“ catch him, Frederick, there he goes ! ” 

Behold Medor pursued by the cruel rascals, he and 
they running at full speed. Unfortunately, there were 
about a dozen of them scattered around, which obliged 
him always to run straight ahead, for if he deviated in 
the least, to the right or left, he could be surrounded and 
his flight retarded instead of hastened. At that time he 
was very young, not more than four months old ; ho 
could run neither very swiftly, nor any great distance 
without stopping, consequently his pursuers captured 
him. One seized him around the body, one by the tail, 
another by the paw, the neck, the ears, the back, they 
pulled him this way and that, to amuse themselves with 
his cries. At last, putting a cord around his neck almost 
tight enough to strangle him, they forced him by dint of 
kicks to the river. 

Two of them were about to remove the cord, and 
plunge him in, when the biggest boy exclaimed : 

“Wait, let’s tie two bladders to his neck, and make 
him swim ; we can push him to the mill, and make him 
pass under the wheel.” 

Vainly did poor Medor struggle; what could he do 
against a dozen little scamps, the youngest of them, at 
least, in his seventh year ? Andrew the most cruel of the 



( 135 ) 





I 


















# 


% 




















THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


137 


band, tied the two bladders around his neck, and then 
launched him into the very middle of the stream. My 
persecuted friend, impelled by the current, and still more 
vigorously by the poles in his tormentors’ hands, reached 
the place wdiere the water precipitates itself under the 
mill wheel. Once under the wheel, he would certainly 
be ground to pieces. 

The workmen returned from their dinner, and one of 
them hastened to raise the barrier restraining the water. 
Perceiving Medor, he said : 

“Another of your cruel tricks,” you rascals ; said he look- 
ing at the boys who waited in delightful anticipation of 
seeing Medor drawn under the wheel. “ Friends,” he 
added, speaking to his fellow workmen, “come here and 
help punish these bad boys, who have been amusing 
themselves trying to drown a poor dog.” 

His comrades ran, and whilst he saved Medor by push- 
ing a plank towards the poor creature for him to climb 
upon, the others gave chase to the boys, caught every one, 
and whipped them well, some with ropes, some with 
whips, some with sticks. The cries of the chastised 
children resounded far and near, for the workmen did 
not strike lightly. At last the job was finished, and 
Medor’s persecutors retreated, crying, sobbing and rub- 
bing their smarting skins. 

The strangling cord around Medor’s neck was cut, and 
he was put out in the sun to dry upon some hay. He 
was soon dry, and ready to go home, but when the black- 
smith led him back, the people there said they did not 
12* 


138 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


want him, they had too many dogs already, and they 
would throw him in the water with a stone to his neck, 
if he were left. The blacksmith was a kind man, and 
pitying Medor, took him to his own house. But at sight 
of the dog his wife got angry, her husband would ruin 
them, she said, they had not the wherewith to feed a 
worthless cur, and, besides, there was a tax upon dogs. 

Her opposition was so determined and so violent that 
her husband for peace sake got rid of Medor, by giving 
him to the cruel farmer with whom I then lived, and who 
had been wanting a watch dog. 

You now know how Medor and I became acquainted, 
and also, why we were so fondly attached to each other. 


XVIII. 

THE BAPTISM. 

William and Maud were to stand sponsors for a new 
born child, whose mother had been Maud’s nurse. Maud 
wanted them to call the baby after her. 

“ Hot at all,” said William, “ since I am godfather, 1 
have the right to name her, and I wish to call her Pier- 
ette.” 

“Pierette!” exclaimed Maud, “that’s a frightful 
name ! I don’t want her named Pierrette, she shall be 
called Maud ; as I am the godmother, I am the one who 
has the right to name her.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


139 


“ No, you havn’t, the godfather has the best right, and 
I shall call her Pierrette.” a 

“ If she is to be named that, I won’t be godmother.” 

“ If she is to be named Maud, I won’t be godfather.” 

“ J list as you please about that, I can ask papa to take 
your place.” 

“And I, Miss, can ask mamma to take your place.” 

“ Besides, I am quite sure aunt would not like her 
called Pierrette, it is too frightful and ridiculous.” 

“And I am sure uncle would not like her called Maud, 
it is too horrible and stupid.” 

“ How did he happen to call me Maud then ? Go to 
him and tell him you think it is a horrible, stupid name, 
go, my good man, and you will see how you will be 
received I ” 

“ Well, you may say what you please, but I say I will 
not be godfather for any Maud.” 

“ Papa,” said Maud mischievously, running to her 
father, “ will you stand godfather with me for little 
Maud ? ” 

“What Maud, dear pet? I know no Maud but you.” 

“ My little godchild, papa, that I want called Maud 
when she is baptized to-day.” 

“But William is to stand with you, and there cannot 
be two godfathers*” 

“ Papa, William does not wish to be godfather*” 

“ Why ? what is the meaning of this wdiim ? ” 

“ Because he thinks Maud a horrible stupid name, and 
wants to call her Pierrette.” 


140 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Pierrette ! that would be horrible and stupid indeed ! ” 

“ It is just what I told him papa, but he would not 
believe me.” 

“ Listen, my daughter, try to reason with your cousin, 
and if he insists upon not being godfather unless the 
baby is named Pierrette, I will cheerfully stand in place 
of him.” 

During Maud’s conversation with her father, William 
had run to his mother. 

“ Mamma,” said he, “ will you stand godmother with 
me in Maud’s place, for the little girl that is to be bap- 
tized to-day.” 

“ Why is not Maud going to stand? it was a request of 
the baby’s mother that she would.” 

“ Mamma, Maud wants the baby named after her, I 
think her name too ugly, and as I am godfather, I want 
the baby called Pierrette.” 

“ Pierrette 1 that is frightful, William is pretty, but 
Pierrette is ridiculous ! ” 

“ Oh ! mamma, please call her Pierrette — At any rate, 
I don’t want her called Maud.” 

“ But if neither of you will give up, how will you fix 
matters ? ” 

“ Mamma, that is why I came to ask you to stand for 
little Pierrette in place of Maud ? ” 

“ My poor William, I must tell you frankly, that I 
Want no more of this Pierrette, the name is too ridicu- 
lous, besides, the child’s mother was Maud’s nurse, not 
yottrs, alid ydu know very well, that she desires most 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


141 


particularly to liave Maud for godmother. For my part, 
I think she would be pleased to have the baby called 
Maud.” 

“ Then, I can’t be godfather.” 

At this instant Maud ran up, exclaiming : 

“ Well, William, have you decided? We start in an 
hour, and must have a godfather.” 

“ I am willing for her not to be called Pierrette, but 
I am not willing for her to be called Maud.” 

“ W ell, since you have given up Pierrette, I will give 
up Maud. But let us ask nurse what name she wants 
baby called.” 

“You are right; go ask her.” 

Maud went running off to the baby’s mother and soon 
came back. 

“ William, William,” she exclaimed, “ nurse wants her 
little daughter named Marie Maud.” 

“ Did you inquire if she ought not to be called Pier- 
rette, as I am godfather ? ” 

“ Yes, I asked her, and she burst out laughing; 
mamma laughed too ; they both said it was impossible, 
Pierrette was too ugly.” 

William blushed slightly, however, as he himself had 
began to think Pierrette ridiculous, he sighed and said 
nothing more on that subject. 

“ Where are the sugar plums ? ” he asked. 

“ In a big basket that will be taken to the church, the 
boxes and wrappings are left here. They are all ready, 
let us see how many there are.” And they ran to the 
hall where everything was in readiness. 


142 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONEE Y. 


“Wliat are these pennies for?” inquired William, 
“there seem to he nearly as many as sugar plums.” 

“ They are to he thrown to the school children,” said 
Maud. 

“ The school children ? Are we going to the school 
after the baptism ? ” 

“ No, we are to throw these from the church door, 
where all the school children collect on such occasions ; 
we throw them by the handful, and the children catch 
them or pick them up from the ground.” 

“ Did you ever see it done ? ” 

“ Never, hut I have heard that it is very amusing.” 

“ I do not think I would like it, for I know very well 
the children fight and get hurt ; besides I do not like 
the idea of flinging things to children as if they were 
dogs.” 

“ Maud, William, come see the baby, it has just arrived ; 
we start shortly,” cried Beatrice, out of breath. 

Both of them ran, trying to reach the baby first. 

“ Oh ! how fine our godchild is ! ” said William. 

“ Yes, indeed,” replied Maud, “ she has a dress embroid- 
ered all around, a lace bonnet, and a cloak lined with 
pink silk.” 

“ Did you give her all those pretty things ? ” 

“ Oh ! no, I had not enough money ; mamma paid for 
everything except the bonnet and I paid for it.” 

All was ready ; though the w T eather was fine the car- 
riage was brought out for the baby and its nurse, and 
the sponsors only. Maud and William were in the car- 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


143 


riage like important personages. They started. I, har- 
nessed to the children’s little conveyance waited for 
them. Louis, Helen, James and Ruth took the back 
seats, Beatrice and Elizabeth the front to drive, whilst 
Henry climbed behind. The mammas, papas and nur- 
ses started at different intervals, so that some of them 
might be near us in case of accident ; but this was only 
an excess of prudence, for with me they knew there was 
nothing to fear. 

I set off in a gallop, notwithstanding my load, self- 
love excited me to overtake and even pass the carriage. 
I went like the wind and the children were enchanted. 

“ Bravo ! ” they cried. “ Courage, Cadichon, keep on 
galloping ! Hurrah for Cadichon, the king of donkeys ! ” 

They clapped their hands and applauded. 

“ Bravo ! ” cried people whom I passed on the road. 
“ Look at that donkey, he runs like a horse ! Good luck 
and no upsets ! ” 

The papas and mammas trudging along, were not so 
encouraging however, but wanted me to relax my speed, 
instead of which, I only galloped the faster. I was not 
very long in overtaking the carriage, and triumphantly 
did I dash past the horses, they looked at me with surprise. 
Feeling mortified at being overtaken by a donkey, espe- 
cially as they had started first, they attempted a gallop, 
but the driver tightened his reins, and obliged them to 
relax their speed, whilst I hurried on faster than ever, so 
that when they reached the church door, my little mas- 
ters and mistresses had all descended from the vehicle, 


144 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

whilst I, very warm and out of breath, was standing 
quietly hitched near the hedge for shade. 

The parents on arriving, admired my swiftness, and 
complimented the children on their equipage. 

The fact is we made quite a sensation, my carriage and 
I, 1 being well rubbed and curried, and decorated with 
variegated dahlias of red and white behind my ears, the 
harness polished and embellished with red mountings, 
and the vehicle repaired and varnished. We certainly 
presented a dashing appearance. 

Through the open window, I witnessed the baptismal 
ceremony, the infant screamed as if it were being mur- 
dered, Maud and William, somewhat embarrassed at 
their honors, got confused in repeating the Creed, and 
the priest was obliged to prompt them. Poor little god- 
father and godmother, their eyes were suffused with tears, 
and their faces as red as cherries ! However, their mis- 
take was no unusual occurrence, and often happens with 
grown people. 

Little Marie Maud being baptized, they went out of 
the church to throw sugar plums and pennies to the 
children collected around the door. As soon as the god- 
father and godmother appeared, all exclaimed ; “Hurrah 
for the godmother ! hurrah for the godfather ! ” 

The basket of sugar plums was ready, it was handed 
Maud, whilst William received the basket of pennies. 
Taking a handful of the former, Maud let them fall in a 
shower among the children. This was the signal for a 
general battle, a faithful representation of starving dogs. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


145 


All rushed to the same spot, disputing every handfull, 
both of sugar plums and pennies, as it was thrown ; they 
tore one another’s hair, they struggled, they rolled over 
on the ground, and half the coveted articles were lost, 
crushed under foot or hidden in the grass. "William did 
not laugh, nor Maud, after the first handful, for she saw 
that these battles were serious. For several of the chil- 
dren were crying, and others were badly scratched. 

“ You were right, William,” said she, as soon as they 
took their seats in the carriage, “ the next time I am god- 
mother, I shall give the children sugar plums, not throw 
them.” 

“ Nor I, the pennies,” said William, “ I shall give them 
like you do the sugar plums.” 

The carriage started off, and I did not hear the rest of 
their conversation. 

My party now began to crowd in their vehicle, accom- 
panied by the papas and mammas. 

“ Cadichon,” said Maud’s mamma, “ has already pro- 
duced a sensation, so now he can afford to return more 
quietly and take us with him.” 

a Mamma,” said Beatrice, “ do you like this custom of 
throwing the children sugar plums and pennies? ” 

« No, dear child, I find it a very ignoble custom, the 
children reminding one of dogs fighting for a bone. If 
ever I am godmother in this part of the country, I shall 
distribute the sugar plums among the children, instead of 
throwing them, and I shall give to the poor, the amount 
of money wasted in pennies flung at random.” 

13 


146 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ You are right, mamma; please let me be godmother 
to do as you say.” 

“ As an absolute necessity for your fulfilling that office, 
we must have a baby to be baptized,” said the mamma, 
smiling, “ and I know of none.” 

“Oh, how provoking! I could be godmother with 
Henry. What would you call your godson, Henry.” 

“ Henry, of course, what would you call him ? ” 

“ Madelon.” 

“Oh horror! Madelon! In the first place it is not a 
name.” 

“ It is as much of a name as Pierrette.” 

“Pierrette is prettier, and besides you see that Wil- 
liam yielded.” 

“ I could give up too,” replied Beatrice, “ but we have 
time enough to think of it.” 

We reached the castle, all got out of the carriage and 
hastened to lay aside their holiday attire ; my trinkets 
and dahlias were also taken off and I was turned out to 
pasture, whilst the children ate their lunch. 


XIX. 


THE LEARNED DONKEY. 

Oxe day I saw the children run into the meadow 
where I was quietly grazing very near the castle. Louis 
and James were playing around me, finding amusement 
in getting on my back, They thought themselves as 
nimble as gymnasts, whilst they were, in reality, I must 
confess, somewhat clumsy, little James especially, who 
was plump, chunkier than his cousin. Louis at last, 
by holding on to my tail, managed to climb (he called it 
jumping) up on my back. James made prodigious efforts 
to follow his example, but the poor little fat fellow slip* 
ped, fell and got out of breath, and it was very evident 
that he could not succeed without the assistance of his 
cousin somewhat older than himself. To spare them so 
much fatigue, I went towards a piece of rising ground. 
Louis had already shown his agility, and James had just 
succeeded with a great effort in seating himself, when we 
heard the whole joyous band crying out : “ James, 

Louis, we are going to the fair day after to-morrow, to 
see the learned donkey ! ” 

“ The learned donkey ? what is that ? ” inquired James. 

“ A donkey ” replied Elizabeth, “that plays all man- 
ner of tricks.” 


( 147 ) 


148 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ What tricks ? ” 

“Well tricks — tricks of — tricks I mean,” said Beat- 
rice. ' 

“ He can’t beat Cadichon, I know.” 

“ Pshaw ! Cadichon ! ” said Henry, “ Cadichon is a 
very fine animal and very intelligent of his kind, but he 
is nothing in comparison with the learned donkey at 
the fair ! ” 

“ I am very sure,” answered Maud, “ that if Cadichon 
were shown these tricks he could do them.” 

“ Let us see w T hat this learned donkey does, and then 
we can judge better as to whether he is more learned 
than our Cadichon,” said William. 

“ William is right,” replied Maud, “ let us wait till 
after the fair.” 

“ And what will we do after the fair ? ” said Eliza- 
beth. 

“ We will dispute,” replied Beatrice laughing. James 
and Louis after w r hispering a few words to each other, 
had kept silence until the rest went away. When assured 
that these were out of sight and hearing, they com- 
menced to dance around me, laughing and singing : 

“ Cadichon, Cadichon, 

To the fair you will go, 

And the learned donkey show 
That as smart as he may he, 

You are smarter still than he ; 

Every one will honor you, 

Every one will praise you too, 

And we shall be proud, so do 
Your best, Cadichon, Cadichon.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


149 


“ What we are singing is very pretty,” said James, 
stopping suddenly. 

“ That is because they are rhymes,” answered Louis. 
“ I really think they are pretty.” 

“ Khymes ? I thought it was very difficult to make 
rhymes.” 

Very easy as you see, 

Though difficult apparently. 

“ There are some more.” 

“ Let us run and say them to our cousins.” 

“ No, no, if they heard our verses, they would gue:s 
what we are going to do ; we must take them by surprise 
at the fair.” 

“ But do you believe papa and uncle will let us take 
Cadichon to the fair ? ” 

“ Certainly, when we tell them in confidence, we want 
him to see the learned donkey.” 

“ Let us run quick to ask them.” 

They were running at full speed towards the house 
just as the papas were coming to the meadow to see what 
the children were doing. “Papa, papa! ’’cried they, 
“ come quick ; we have something to ask you.” 

“ Speak children, what is it? ” 

“ Not here, papa, not here,” was the mysterious answer 
each one drawing his father aside. 

“What is the matter?” said Louis’s papa, laughing* 
“ Into what conspiracy do you wish to drag me?”. 

“ Sh sh, papa, here is what it is : you know that day 
after to-morrow there will be a learned donkey at the fair*” 

13 * 


150 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ No, I did not know it, but what have we to do with 
learned donkeys, w r e, who have Cadichon ? ” 

“ That is precisely what we say, papa, that Cadichon 
is smarter than any of them. My sisters and cousins are 
going to the fair to see this educated donkey, and we 
would like very much to take Cadichon, so that he may 
see what this donkey does and imitate him.” 

“ What?” said James’s papa, “ would you put Cadichon 
in the crowd to look at the donkey ? ” 

“ Yes, papa, instead of going in the carriage, we can 
ride Cadichon, and get very near the circle in which the 
learned donkey plays his tricks.” 

“ I "would not ask anything better myself, but I do not 
believe Cadichon could learn much in one lesson.” 

“ Can’t you, Cadichon, do as many smart tricks as that 
silly, educated donkey ? ” 

In addressing this question, James looked at me so 
anxiously, that to reassure him, I began braying, laugh- 
ing all the while at his fears. 

“Do you hear that, papa,” said James triumphantly, 
“ Cadichon says yes.” 

The two papas laughed, caressed their little boys, and 
turned away, promising not only that I should go to the 
fair, but that they would accompany us there. 

“ Ah ! ” said I to myself, “ they doubt my capacity ! 
It is astonishing how much more intelligent these chil- 
dren are than their fathers.” 

The great day arrived. One hour before our depart- 
ure, my toilet was made, and Louis and James having 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


151 


curried and rubbed me to tlie verge of vexation ; after 
which, they decorated me with a perfectly new bridle 
and saddle, and then announced their readiness to start, 
as they wished to set out a little in advance, for fear of 
being late. 

“ Why do you wish to go so early ? ” asked Henry, 
“ and how are you going ? ” 

“We are going on Cadichon, and want to start early, 
because we can’t go fast,” said Louis. 

“ Are you two going alone ? ” inquired Henry. 

“ Ho, papa and uncle v T ill accompany us.” 

“ It wall certainly be tiresome, if you are going at a 
gait to suit their walk.” 

“ Oh ! we never find it tiresome in our papa’s com- 
pany 

“ I prefer going in the carriage, we will get their long 
before you.” 

“ Ho, you will not, for we will start so much sooner.” 

As they finished speaking, I was led out all saddled 
and decorated— the fathers were ready ; they put their 
little boys on my back, and I started very slowly, so as 
not to make their fathers run. 

In an hour we reached the fair ground, where we 
found many persons already collected around the rope 
marking out a circle, within which the educated donkey 
was to display his ability. The fathers of the two little 
boys I had brought, stationed us very near the rope, and 
my other masters and mistresses soon rejoined us. 

The sound of a drum was the signal for my learned 


152 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


friend’s appearance. All eyes were fixed upon the cur- 
tain, which rose at last, and he came forth, a thin, sad, 
miserable looking creature. His master called him ; he 
approached, but with an air of fear, and I saw at once, 
that the poor thing’s learning had been instilled by hard 
beatings. 

“ Gentlemen and ladies,” said the master, “ I have the 
honor of presenting to you Mirliflore, the prince of don- 
keys. He is not like the rest of his race, he is a learned 
donkey, more learned indeed than many of us, he is the 
donkey par excellence, and without an equal. Come, 
Mirliflore, show what you can do, but first salute these 
gentlemen and ladies like a well raised donkey.” 

This discourse touched my pride, and made me very 
angry ; I resolved to be revenged before the end of the 
exhibition. 

Mirliflore advancing three steps, made an inclination 
of his head with a melancholy air. 

“ Go, Mirliflore, go give this bouquet to the prettiest 
lady here.” 

I laughed at seeing every hand half extended to 
receive the bouquet. Mirliflore went all around the cir- 
cle, and stopping before a fat, ugly woman that I after- 
wards learned was the master’s wife, and who held a 
little sugar in her hand, lay down his flowers, 

This want of taste enraged me ; leaping over the rope 
to the great surprise of every one present, and making a 
graceful salutation, to those on my right, my left, before 
and behind me, I walked resolutely up to the fat woman, 


Mirliflore, the prince of donkeys.”— (Page 152.) 



( 163 ) 











v 




ft 









































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 155 

snatched the bouquet from her hands, and laid, it on 
Maud’s lap. I then returned to my place, amidst the 
plaudits of the multitude. Every one inquired the 
meaning of this apparition; some believed it was all 
arranged beforehand, and that there were two learned 
donkeys ; whilst others who had seen me with my little 
masters recognizing me, were delighted at my intelli- 
gence. 

Mirliflore’s master seemed quite vexed, but the animal 



himself appeared so indifferent to my triumph, that I 
began to believe him really stupid, which is a quality 
very rare among us donkeys. When silence was re-estab- 
lished, the master called Mirlifiore out again. 

“Come Mirlifiore, show these gentlemen and ladies 
that you not only know how to distinguish beauty, but 
likewise stupidity ; take this cap and put it on the most 
stupid person here.” 


156 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


Saying this, he gave Mirliflore a magnificent dunce 
cap, ornamented with bells and variegated ribbons. Mir- 
liflore, taking it between his teeth, went towards a fat, 
red faced boy, who inclined his head in advance to receive 
it. From his resemblance to the fat woman, so falsely 
declared the most beautiful person present, it was easy to 
recognize this boy as her son, and the master’s assistant. 

“ Now,” thought I, “is the moment to revenge this 
fool’s insulting words ! ” 

And before anyone could think of preventing me, I 
again darted into the arena, ran to my comrade, snatched 
the dunce cap from him at the moment he was about to 
place it on the fat boy’s head, and ere the master had 
time to defend himself, rushing at him, at putting my 
fore feet upon his shoulders, I tried to place the cap upon 
his head. He repulsed me violently, and grew furious, 
as peals of laughter and applause resounded on all sides. 

“Bravo donkey!” they cried, “this one is the real 
learned donkey.” 

Emboldened by the applause of the multitude, I made 
a new effort to fit the cap ; as he recoiled I advanced, 
and we finished by a flying race, the man running at full 
speed, I after him, not getting near enough to him to 
ornament him with the cap, and not wishing to do 
him any harm. At last I jumped behind him, and 
placing my fore feet upon his shoulders, let him feel 
my weight ; he fell and I profited by it, to bury his head 
up to his very chin in the dunce’s cap. I retired imme- 
diately ; the man arose, but being somewhat confused and 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


157 


stunned by the fall, and unable to see clearly, be began 
to turn and jump. And I to complete the farce pre- 
tended to do the same, interrupting this burlesque imita- 
tion, by approaching him and braying in his ear, then 
standing on my hind feet, jumping like him, sometimes 
to one side, some times before him. 

To depict the laughter, the bravos, the joyful stamp- 
ing of feet, would be an impossibility. Never had a 



donkey in the world such success, such a triumph ! Tlio 
ring was invaded by hundreds of persons wishing to 
touch, to caress, to approach me. Those who knew me 
were proud of what I had done, and told my name to 
those not acquainted with me. Numberless anecdotes, 
both true and false, were related, in which I played a 
magnificent part. One time, said my admirers, I had 

14 


158 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


extinguished a fire, working a pump all alone; I liad 
ascended to the third story, opened my mistress’s door, 
seized her asleep in bed, and all hope of escape by the 
stairs being cut off, I had jumped from the third story, 
having first carefully placed my mistress on my back — 
that neither she nor I had been hurt, because her guardian 
angel had sustained us in the air and we had gently 
descended to the ground. Another time, unassisted, I 
had killed fifty brigands, strangling them one by one with 
a single bite, so that none awakened to alarm the rest. 
I had afterwards liberated one hundred and fifty prison- 
ers these robbers had kept chained in the caves for the 
sake of their services, making the poor creatures work to 
feed and enrich their masters. Again, at a race, I had 
beaten the best horses in the country, and finally, in five 
hours, I had made twenty-five leagues without stopping. 

The admiration for me increased in proportion to the 
circulation of these stories. I was surrounded, almost 
smothered, and the soldiers were obliged to drive off the 
crowd. Happily, the parents of James, Louis, and all 
my other masters had led their children away, whilst the 
crowd collected around me. I had much difficulty in 
escaping from my admirers, who wished to carry me in 
triumph — even the assistance of the soldiers was not suf- 
ficient to prevent such an honor, and I, in order to force 
my way through the crowd, was obliged to give a few 
bites, and attempted kicks, taking care, however, to hurt 
no one. 

Once rid of the crowd, I sought Louis and James, but 


The soldiers were obliged to drive off.the crowd.— (Page 158.) 



(ISO) 











► 






































-THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


161 


in vain. Not wishing my dear little masters to return 
home on foot, I ran to the stable where our horses were 
always kept to see if they were still there, and, not find- 
ing them, I knew Louis and James had gone. Then, 
taking the road to the castle, and running at full speed, 
I soon caught up with the two carriages packed with 
parents and children to the number of fifteen. 

“ Cadichon ! there is Cadichon ! ” exclaimed all the 
children when they saw me. 

The carriages were stopped ; James and Louis asked 
permission to get out, as they wished to compliment and 
caress me, and return home on foot. Their example was 
followed by Ruth and Helen, then by William and Henry, 
and at last by Elizabeth, Beatrice and Maud. 

“ So you see,” said Louis and James, “ we knew Cadi- 
chon better than you ! How he did distinguish himself! 
He easily understood all the tricks of that stupid Mirliflore 
and his foolish master.” 

“ So he did,” answered William, “ but 1 would like very 
much to know why he insisted upon putting that dunce- 
cap on the master. Was it because he thought the master 
a fool, and knew that the donkey’s ears (the dunce-cap 
was fashioned in that style) were a mark of imbecility ?” 

“Certainly, he understood it,” spoke Maud; “he is 
smart enough for that.” 

“Ah! ah! ah! You say that because he gave you 
the bouquet as the prettiest person present.” 

“ Not at all ; I did not think myself the prettiest, and, 
since you speak of it, let me tell you that I was astonished, 

14 * 


162 


THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


and wished very much he had given the bouquet to 
mamma, for she was the prettiest person there.” 

44 You represented her,” said William, 44 and I believe 
that, leaving aunt aside, Cadichon’s choice could not have 
been better.” 

44 And I then, am I so ugly \ ” asked Beatrice. 

44 Certainly not, but each one to his taste, and Cadi- 
chon’s taste selected Maud,” replied William. 

44 Instead of discussing beauties and frights,” said 
Elizabeth, 44 we ought to inquire of Cadichon how he 
could understand so well what this man said.” 

44 What a pity Cadichon cannot speak ! how much he 
could tell ! ” replied Helen. 

44 Who knows but what he does understand ? ” said 
Elizabeth. 44 I myself have read the 4 Recollections of a 
Doll,’ and does a doll appear to see and understand ? 
That doll wrote about all she heard and saw.” 

44 And do you really believe that ? ” asked Henry. 

44 Certainly I believe it,” replied Elizabeth. 

44 How could the doll write ? ” 

44 She wrote at night, with a tiny pen made of a hum- 
ming bird’s feather, and hid her 4 Recollections ’ under her 
head.” 

44 Don’t believe such nonsense, my poof Elizabeth,” 
said Beatrice. 44 It was a lady who wrote those 4 Recob 
lections of a Doll,’ and to make the book more amusing) 
she pretended to be the doll and to write as if she were 
one.*’ 

44 Do you think, then, it was not a real doll that wrote 
them ? ” asked Elizabeth. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


163 


“ Certainly it was not,” replied Maud. “ How do you 
suppose a lifeless doll, made of wood or stuffed with bran 
could reflect, see, hear and write ? ” 

Talking thus, they reached the castle. Kunning 
immediately to their grandmother, who had remained at 
home, they recounted all my doings and how I had 
astonished and delighted every one. 

“ He is truly wonderful, this Cadichon,” said she, 
coming to caress me. “ I have known intelligent 
donkeys, far more sagacious than other animals, but 
never did I see one like Cadichon ! I must confess, we 
are very unjust to donkeys.” 

I turned towards her with a look of gratitude. 

“One would really suppose he understood me,” she 
continued. “ My poor Cadichon, rest assured you shall 
never be sold whilst I live, and you shall be as well 
taken care of as if you understood everything that was 
going on around you.” 

I sighed at thought of my old mistress’s age, for she 
was fifty-nine, and I not more than nine or ten. 

“ My dear little masters,” thought I, “ when your 
grandmother dies do not sell me, I entreat you, but keep 
me and let me die in your service.” 

As to the learned donkey’s unfortunate master, I after 
wards repented bitterly of the trick I had played upon 
him, and you will see the sad consequences of my desire 
to display my intelligence. 


XX. 

THE FROG. 

The wicked boy who killed my friend, Medor, liad at 
last (by dint of coaxing probably,) obtained pardon and 
permission to visit again at your grandmother’s. I could 
not bear him, you may well imagine, and I sought every 
opportunity of playing some ugly trick upon him, for I 
lacked charity and had not yet learned to forgive. 

This Alfred was a coward, but always boasting of his 
courage. One day, when his father had brought him to 
your grandmother’s on a visit, the other children pro- 
posed a stroll in the woods. Maud, who ran ahead sud- 
denly jumped aside screaming. 

“ What is the matter ? ” said William, running to her 
assistance. 

“ I was frightened at a frog that jumped on my foot.” 

“ Is it possible that you are afraid of frogs, Maud ? 
For my part,” said Alfred, “ I am afraid of nothing, of 
no animal.” 

“ Why then,’* retorted Maud, “did you jump so high 
the other day, when I told you there was'a spider on your 
arm ? ” 

“ Because I did not understand what you said to me.” 

( 184 ) 


'THE ADVENTURrS OK A DONKEY. 165 

“ Did not understand ? It was very easily understood.” 

“ Certainly it was, if I had heard aright, but I thought 
} T ou said, ‘look at that spider down there,’ and I jumped 
aside only to see it better,” 

“ The idea ! ” chimed in William, “ that is not so, for 
as you jumped, you cried, ‘ Oh, William, take it off, 
please ! ’ ” 

“ I meant to say, ‘ take it off, so I can see it better.’ ” 

“ He is telling a story,” whispered Beatrice to Maud.” 

“ So I perceive,” was Maud’s low response. 

I was listening to the conversation and profited by it, 
as you will see. The children were seated upon the 
grass, and I was near, having followed them. Perceiv- 
ing a little green frog very near Alfred’s open pocket, 
my plan was quickly formed and easily executed. 
Approaching noiselessly, I seized the frog by one leg, 
and slyly dropped it into the little boaster’s pocket, 
quietly withdrawing as soon as the deed was done, so 
that Alfred might not suspect me of having made him 
this beautiful present. 

I could not hear distinctly all the conversation, but I 
distinguished this much, that Alfred continued to boast 
of his courage, he was afraid of no creature, not even of 
lions, at which the rest uttered an exclamation of incre- 
dulity. Just at this moment Alfred wished to blow his 
nose. Punning his hand into his pocket, he withdrew it 
with a cry of terror, and rising precipitately, screamed 
aloud : 

“ Take it out ! take it out ! Oh ! I beg you to take it 
out ! I am so afraid ! Help ! help ! ” 


166 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ What is the matter, Alfred ? ” said Maud, half laugh- 
ing, half frightened. 

“An animal ! an animal! Take it out, I beg you ! ” 

“What animal do you mean, and where is it?” said 
William. 

“In my pocket! I felt it, I touched it! Oh! take it 
out, take it away ! I am afraid of it, I dare not touch it ! ” 

“ Do it yourself, you coward ! ” replied Henry, indig- 
nantly. 

“ Well, just listen,” said Elizabeth, “he is afraid of 
something in his pocket, and wants us to take it out, 
because he dares not touch it ! ” 

After their first fright, the children were greatly 
amused at Alfred’s contortions, who knew not how to 
rid himself of the creature he felt wriggling about in 
his pocket. His terror increased with every movement 
of the frog. At last, frightened almost to distraction, 
and finding no other means of escape from this creature 
that he felt moving and yet dared not touch, he pulled 
off his jacket and threw it on the ground, remaining in 
his shirt sleeves. The others burst out laughing and made 
a rush for the jacket. Henry opened the hind pocket; 
the imprisoned frog seeing daylight, darted through the 
opening, narrow as it was, and each one saw a pretty 
little scared frog, that sought safety in desperate efforts 
to put itself out of reach. 

“ The enemy has taken flight,” said Maud, laughing. 

“ Take care it doesn’t chase you,” said William. 

“ Don’t go too near, it might devour you ! ” said 
Henry. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


167 


“ Nothing is so dangerous as a frog ! ” added Beat- 
rice. 

“If it were only a lion, Alfred would attack it!” 
chimed in Elizabeth, “but a frog! All his courage 
could not defend him from its claws ! ” 

“ You forget its teeth ! ” continued Louis. 

“You may pick up your jacket,” said James, catching 
the frog. “ I hold your enemy prisoner.” 

Alfred remained motionless and mute with shame at 
having thus exposed himself to so much ridicule. 

“Let us dress him,” cried William, “he has not 
strength enough to put on his jacket ! ” 

“ Take care,” said Henry “ that a fly or a gnat is not 
on it, for that would be a new danger to fear ! ” 

Alfred tried to escape, but all the children, big and 
little ran after him ; William holding the jacket, the 
others pursuing the coward and endeavoring to intercept 
his retreat. It was a very amusing race for all but poor 
Alfred, who, red with shame and anger, ran first to the 
right and then to the left, and everywhere encountered 
an enemy. I joined the party, and galloped before and 
behind him, increasing his fear by braying and attempt- 
ing to seize him by the seat of his trousers ; once I caught 
him, but he jerked away leaving a piece of the trousers 
in my mouth which increased the other children’s laughter. 
I succeeded at last in catching him with a firm hold, he 
uttered such a cry, that, for an instant, I feared having 
seized skin as well as cloth. William and Henry were 
the first to reach him ; he tried to struggle against them, 


168 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


but I pulled him gently, at which he screamed again, 
and then became as meek as a lamb, never budging any 
more than a statue whilst William and Henry put his 
jacket on him. Seeing that my services were no longer 
needed, I released him, and went my way delighted at 
having succeeded in rendering him so ridiculous. He 
never knew how that frog got into his pocket, and from 
that lucky day he dared boast no more of his courage — 
before the children. 


XXI. 

THE PONY. 

My vengeance ought to have been appeased, but it was 
not ; I still retained for Alfred such sentiments of hatred 
as instigated me to play another trick upon him, of which 
I afterwards bitterly repented. We were rid of him for 
nearly a month after the episode of the frog. One day, 
however, his father brought him over, not much to any- 
one’s delight. 

“ What shall we do to amuse this boy ? ’’-said William 
to Maud. 

u Propose a riding party to the woods; Henry will 
mount Cadichon ; Alfred, the farm mule; and you, your 
pony.” 

“ Oh ! that’s a splendid idea, provided he wishes to go ! ” 

“ Oh ! but he must wish it ; do you just have the 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


169 


animals saddled, and when they are ready help him 
mount.” 

William went to find Alfred, who was amusing himself 
tormenting Louis and James. Under the pretence of 
assisting them in their garden, he replanted their flowers, 
pulled their vegetables, cut their strawberry vines, and 
scattered confusion everywhere ; when they attempted to 
prevent him, ho repulsed them with a kick or a thrust of 
the spade, and William found them weeping over the 
ruins of their flowers and vegetables. 

“ Why do you torment my poor little cousins ? ” said 
William, with evident displeasure. 

“ I am not tormenting them ; on the contrary, I am 
assisting them.” 

“ But they don’t wish your assistance.” 

“They must be made to do right, even in spite of 
themselves.” 

“ It is because he is twice as big as we are that he tor- 
ments us,” said Louis; “he would not dare do so with you 
and Henry.” 

“Hot dare!” replied Alfred; “don’t say that again, 
young one.” 

“Ho, you would not dare! William and Henry are 
much stronger than a frog, I know,” said James. 

At this, Alfred reddened, shrugged his shoulders with 
an air of disdain, and, turning to William, said : 

“Did you want me, dear friend? You seemed to be 
looking for me when you came here.” 

“Yes; I was going to propose a riding party,” said 

15 


170 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


William, with an air of indifference ; “ be ready in a 
quarter of an hour, if you wish to go with Henry and 
me to the woods.” 

“ Certainly; I would like nothing better,” replied 
Alfred eagerly, delighted at the idea of putting an end 
to the taunts of James and Louis. 

William and Alfred then went to the stable, and told 
the hostler to saddle the pony, the farm mule and myself. 

“ Ah ! you have a pony ! ” said Alfred ; “ I like them 
so much.” 

“ It was a present from grandma.” 

“ Do you know hovr to ride horseback ? ” 

“ Yes; I learned two years ago at riding school.” 

“ I would love to ride your pony.” 

“ I would not advise you to do it, if you have never 
learned to ride horseback.” 

“ I never learned, but I can do it just as well as any- 
one else.” 

“ Did you ever try ? ” 

“ Many a time. Who is there that can’t ride horse- 
back?” 

“ When did you ? your father has no saddle horses.” 

“I never rode horseback, but I have ridden mules, 
which is the same thing.” 

“ I tell you again, my dear Alfred,” said William, 
restraining a smile, “if you have never ridden horseback, 
I would advise you not to ride my pony.” 

“And why not ? ” replied Alfred a little piqued, “ you 
might give him up for once.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 171 

“ Oh ! I don’t refuse you on that account, it is because 
the pony is a little spirited, and — ” 

“And what ? ” said Alfred, in the same tone of vexa- 
tion. 

“ Well then he might throw you off.” 

“ Be easy about that, do,” answered Alfred, quite irri- 
tated, “ I am not quite so awkward as you think. If you are 
willing to give him up to me for once, be sure 1 can ride 
him just as good as yourself.” 

“ Just as you please, my dear; take the pony, I will 
ride the mule, and Henry, Cadichon.” 

Henry now joined them. In a few moments we were 
to start. Alfred approached the pony, which capered a 
little and made two or three jumps. Alfred looked at 
him anxiously. 

“ Hold him firmly,” said he, “ until I am on.” 

“ There is no danger, master, the animal is not vicious, 
and you need not be afraid,” said the hostler. 

“ I am not at all afraid,” replied Alfred quickly, “ do I 
look as if I were afraid, I, who am afraid of nothing ? ” 

“ Except frogs,” whispered Henry to William. 

“ What did you say, Henry ? What did you whisper to 
William?” said Alfred. 

“ Oh ! nothing very interesting ! ” replied Henry, mis- 
chievously, “ I told him I believed I saw a frog down on 
grass.” 

Alfred bit his lip, colored deeply, but said nothing. 
He got on the pony and began to pull the bridle, the 
pony recoiled, Alfred clung to the saddle. 


172 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Do not pull, master, do not pull, a liorse must not be 
managed like a mule,” said the hostler, laughing. 

Alfred slackened the reins, I started ahead with Henry, 
William following on the mule. I maliciously broke 
into a gallop, and the pony tried to overtake me, but I 
went my fastest. William and Henry laughed, Alfred 
cried out and clung to the pony’s mane. We all ran, 
and I determined not to stop until Alfred was thrown otf 
Excited by the laughter and cries, the pony was not long 
in overtaking me, but I followed close behind him, nib- 
bling his tail whenever he showed the slightest inclina- 
tion to slacken his speed. We galloped thus for a quar- 
ter of an hour, Alfred clinging to the pony’s neck and 
Teady to fall at every step. Determined to hasten this 
event, I gave a stronger nibble to the pony’s tail, he 
began to kick so vigorously that at the first essay, Alfred 
fell upon the horse’s neck, at the second, he passed over 
its head and was stretched motionless on the ground. 
William and Henry, thinking him hurt, dismounted 
instantly, and ran to pick him up. 

“Alfred, Alfred, are you hurt?” they anxiously 
inquired. 

“I think not, I do not know,” answered Alfred, as lie 
arose, still quaking from fright. 

When on his feet, his limbs trembled, his teeth chat- 
tered. William and Henry examined him, and finding 
neither bruise nor scratch of any sort, looked at him with 
mingled pity and disgust. 

“ It is sad to be such a coward as that,” said William. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


173 


“ I — am — not — a — coward — but — I — am — afraid,” an- 
swered Alfred, his teeth still chattering. 

“ I hope you do not intend to mount my pony again,” 
said William, “ we will exchange animals. ” 

And without awaiting Alfred’s answer, he jumped 
lightly on the pony. 

“ I would rather ride Cadichon,” said Alfred, piteously. 

t{ Just as you please,” answered Henry, “take Cadi- 
chon and I will mount Grison, the mule.” 

My first impulse w T as to prevent his getting on my 
back, but I formed another project which finished his 
day’s amusement, and served better to express my aver- 
sion and wickedness. So I let him mount quietly and I 
followed far behind the pony. If Alfred had dared beat 
me to increase my speed, I w T ould have thrown him, but 
knowing my young master’s fondness for me, he never 
interfered with my gait, which w T as regulated entirely by 
my own pleasure. I took especial pains in going through 
the w T oods, to brush him up against all the bushes, par* 
ticularly such as holly and others of that thorny nature, so 
that his face was well scratched. He complained of this 
to Henry, who answered coldly : 

“ Cadichon does Rot treat people badly that he likes j 
probably you are not in his good graces.” 

We soon took the road homeward, for Henry and 
William got tired of listening to Alfred’s whimpering as 
each new branch switched across his face. He w r as 
scratched ridiculously; I had every reason to believe, 
however, that he w r as less amused than his companions. 

15 * 


174 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


My frightful project was going to finish the day’s enter- 
tainment. 

In returning through the farm, we had to pass a hole 
or rather a ditch, into which emptied the pipe carrying 
off all the stale, greasy kitchen water. It was a recepta- 
cle for refuse of every sort, which rotting in the stag* 
nant water, formed a black and stinking mud. I let 
William and Henry go ahead; reaching the ditch, I 
made a bound towards the edge and with one kick, 
landed Alfred just where I had desired. I then stood 
quietly enjoying the spectacle of his struggles in this 
black, filthy pool that almost blinded and strangled him. 

He attempted to scream for help, but the water got 
into his mouth, it even reached his ears, and try as he 
would, he found it impossible to extricate himself. 
“Medor,” thought I, “ Medor, you are revenged ! ” I did 
not reflect on the harm I might do this poor boy, who 
had killed Medor by accident and not from malice, nor 
did I suspect for an instant that I was far worse than 
he. At last, William and Henry who had dismounted, 
seeing nothing of me nor Alfred, wondered at our delay 
and retraced their steps, to find me standing on the edge 
of the ditch, complacently regarding my struggling 
enemy. They approached, and uttered a cry of horror 
at sight of Alfred, for he was in imminent risk of being 
strangled by the mud. The farm men were called to 
the spot immediately. They held out a pole to the un- 
fortunate boy, who, clinging to the end, was thus rescued 
from his peril. When landed, every one wished him to 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


175 


keep at a distance, for the mud was dripping from him 
and smelt intolerably. 

“We must go tell his father,” said William. 

“ And then papa and my uncles,” added Henry, “ so 
they may tell us some way of cleansing him.” 

“ Come, Alfred, follow us, but please don’t come too 
near, for that mud does smell horribly.” 

Alfred, covered with confusion, black with mud, 
scarcely able to see his way, followed them at a distance, 
and was the object of much surprise and many ejacula- 
tions from all he met. I formed the vanguard, capering, 
running and braying with all my strength. William and 
Henry seemed much displeased at my gayety, and tried 
their best to silence me, but their screams were of no 
avail, and in fact, only added to the racket. This un- 
usual noise attracked the attention of all the house; 
every one recognizing my voice, and knowing that I 
brayed thus only on grand occasions, ran to the windows 
so that when we came in sight of the castle, numberless 
countenances full of curiosity peered at us through the 
casements. Our appearance was the signal for a general 
exclamation, followed by a simultaneous rush for the 
door, and in a few moments everybody, big and little, 
young and old, had decended and formed a circle around 
us, with Alfred for the centre, every one inquiring what 
was the matter and trying to keep out of his way. Your 
grandmother was the first to say : 

“ Some one must wash this poor boy, and see if he is 
hurt.” 


176 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. < 

“ But how to wash, him is the question,” said William’s 
papa. “ He must take a bath.” 

“ I will undertake the washing,” said Alfred’s father. 
“ Follow me, Alfred ; I see by your walk that you are 
not hurt. Let us go to the pond, where you can plunge 
right in ; then, when rid of some of that mud, you may 
use the soap and finish your bath. The water is not cold 
at this season. William will lend you linen and other 
clothing.” 

Saying this, he went towards the brook, followed by 
Alfred, who was afraid to do otherwise, as he stood con- 
siderably in awe of his father. I ran to assist at the 
operation, which was long and hard, for the nasty, greasy 
mud stuck to his skin and hair. The servants hastened 
to bring him towels, soap, clothing and shoes. The papas 
helped scrub him, and at the end cf half an hour he 
emerged from his bath nearly clean, but shivering, and 
so abashed that he did not wisli to be seen, and begged 
his father to take him home immediately. 

Meanwhile, every one inquired how this accident had 
happened. William and Henry mentioned the two falls. 

“ I believe,” said William, “ that Cadichon was the 
cause of both. * He bit my pony’s tail, which he never 
does when one of us is on the pony ; this forced the pony 
into a gallop ; he kicked, and sent xilfred over his head. 
I did not see the second fall, but, judging from Cadichon’s 
triumphant air, his joyful braying, and his present com- 
placent demeanor, it is very easy to discover that the 
deed was intentional — he detests Alfred.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


177 


“ How do you know lie detests him ? ” asked Beatrice. 
u He shows it in a thousand ways,” said William. 
“ You remember the day Alfred had a frog in his pocket, 
how Cadichon chased him, caught him by the seat of his 
trousers, and held him whilst we put on his jacket ? I 
observed Cadichon’s expression, and perceived that he 
cast upon Alfred such malicious glances as he bestows 
only on those he hates. He never looks at us in that 
way. His eyes sparkled like coals ; indeed, his look was 
really ugly.” 

“Cadichon,” added he, turning towards me, “isn’t it 
so ? Haven’t I guessed exactly right ; you detest Alfred, 
and treated him badly on purpose ? ” 

My answer was to bray and then lick his hand. 

“ Do you know,” said Maud, “ that Cadichon is really 
an extraordinary creature ? I am sure he hears and 
understands us.” 

I gave her a grateful glance, and, going up to her side, 
laid my head on her shoulder. 

“ What a pity, my Cadichon,” said Maud, “ that you 
get worse and worse, and oblige us to love you less and 
less ! And what a pity it is, also, that you cannot write ! 
You have seen so much that would be interesting to 
relate,” she added, passing her hand over my head and 
neck. “ If you could only write the story of your adven- 
tures, I am sure they would be very amusing ! ” 

“My poor Maud,” said Henry, “ what nonsense you 
are saying, wishing that Cadichon who is a donkey, could 
write an account of his life.” 


178 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ A donkey like Cadiclion is only one in part.” 

“ Bali! they are all alike and do what you will, they 
are never anything hut donkeys.” 

“ All donkeys are not alike.” 

“ But this doe3 not prevent people when they wish to 
describe a man as stupid, ignorant, and headstrong, from 
saying: ‘As stupid as a donkey, as ignorant as a donkey, 
as headstrong as a donkey’ and if you were to say to me, 

‘ Henry you are a donkey,’ I would get angry and cer- 
tainly take it as an insult.” 

“ You are right, and yet I feel and see, first that Cadi- 
clion understands a great deal, that he loves us, and that 
he has wonderful intelligence — moreover, that donkeys 
are donkeys when treated like donkeys, that is, with 
harshness and even cruelty, by masters v ; hom they cannot 
love or serve faithfully.” 

“ According to your doctrine, then, it is really Cadi- 
chon’s intelligence that instigated him to betray the 
robbers, and that prompts him to so many extraordinary 
deeds.” 

“ Certainly, how else would you account for his reveal- 
ing the place of their concealment, except that he wished 
to do so? ” 

“ I would say, that seeing his comrades enter the cave, 
he wished to rejoin them.” 

“ And the tricks of the learned donkey ? ” 

“ I would account for that day’s doings on the score of 
jealousy and malice ’ 

“ And the race in which he came off victor ? ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


179 


“ A donkey’s pride.” 

“ And the tire when he saved Pauline ? ” 

“It was instinct.” 

“ Hush, Henry, you provoke me.” 

“ I am very fond of Cadichon, I assure you ; hut I 
consider him just what he is in reality, a donkey; and 
you, you make him a genius. I must say, that if he is 
endowed with all the mind and intelligence that you 
believe he possesses, he is wicked and detestable. 

“ How so ? ” 

“ By turning into ridicule the poor learned donkey 
and his master, thus preventing them from making the 
money necessary for their subsistance — again, in playing 
so many ugly tricks on Alfred, who never did him any 
harm, and, finally, in making himself so detestable to the 
other animals, biting, kicking and maltreating them 
generally.” 

“ That is true, indeed, you are right, Henry. I would 
rather believe for the sake of Cadichon’s honor, that he 
is ignorant of what he does and the consequences of his 
deeds.” 

And Maud ran off with Henry, leaving me alone, and 
quite displeased at what I had just heard. I felt indeed 
that Henry’s condemnation of my behavior was just, 
but I was unwilling to acknowledge it, and still more 
unwilling to change my conduct, by shaking off the yoke 
of pride, ill temper and revenge, by which I bad so long 
been governed. 


XXII. 


THE PUNISHMENT. 

I remained alone till evening, no one came near me. 
Feeling lonesome and wearied, I went towards the ser- 
vants who were airing themselves at the kitchen door, 
and engaged in conversation. 

“ He is getting too wicked indeed,” said the chamber- 
maid. “ What an ugly trick he played on poor Alfred ; 
he might have killed or drowned him.” 

“And after that he seemed so delighted,” said the valet, 

“ he ran, he leaped, he brayed, as if ho had accomplished 
something great.” 

“ He shall be paid for it,” said the coachman, “ I am v 
going to give him a dressing off for his supper.” 

“ Take care,” replied the valet, “if madam sees it—” 

“And how would madam see it ? Do you suppose I 
am going to whip him under madam’s eyes? I shall 
wait until he is in the stable.” 

“ Then you will be apt to wait a long time, for this 
animal that does only what he pleases, goes to the stable 
very late.” 

“ Well, if I get tired waiting for him, I know a way to 
take him there in spite of himself and without disturb- 
ing any one.” 


( 183 ) 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY, 


181 


“ How can you do that ? ” asked the chambermaid, “ for 
the wicked thing brays in such a way as to alarm the 
house.” 

“ Leave him to me ! I’ll stifle his breath, so that you 
will hardly hear him breathe,” was the reply, followed 
by a burst.of laughter from the whole party. 

I was enraged at their spite, and began to consider 
some means of avoiding the threatened punishment. I 



would have jumped at them then, and bitten every one 
but I dared not, for fear they would go in a body and 
complain to my mistress, and I had a vague presentiment 
that vexed and annoyed at my numberless tricks, she 
might drive me off. 

Whilst I was deliberating, I heard the chambermaid 

tell the coachman to look at my wicked eyes. He 
16 


182 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

shrugged his shoulders, arose, went into the kitchen, and 
coming out again, directed his steps towards the stable. 
In passing me he threw a slip knot over my head ; I 
drew back to break it, and he pulled in the opposite 
direction to make me advance ; we both pulled our best, 
in consequence of which the tighter the cord strangled 
me; at the very first I tried to bray, but in vain, I could 



scarcely breathe, and was forced at last to yield. He led 
me to 4he stable, the door of which was obligingly opened 
by the other domestics. Once in my stall, they promptly 
passed the halter over my head and untied the rope that 
was choking me ; then the coachman having first taken 
the precaution to shut the door, seized the wagon whip 
and began to beat me unmercifully, without the slightest 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


183 


remonstrance or sign of pity from anyone present. In 
vain did I bray and struggle, my young masters could 
not hear me, and the coachman was free to consult his 
own time and taste in meting out the punishment due 
the many wicked deeds of which I was accused. 

He left me in a state of suffering and dejection impos- 
sible to describe. It was the first time since my entrance 
into this house, that I had ever been humiliated and 
beaten. Since then, however, in reflecting upon it, I 
have recognized the justice of my punishment. 

The next day it was quite late when the coachman let 
me out of the stable. I was strongly tempted to bite 
him in the face, but was prevented, as on the previous 
day, only by the fear of being driven off the place. 

I directed my steps towards the house. The children 
were all collected around the front entrance, engaged in 
a most animated conversation. 

“ There he is now, that wicked Cadichon,” said William, 
seeing me approach ; let us chase him awa} T , he’ll bite 
us or play some ugly trick on us, like he did the other 
day on poor Alfred.” 

“ What was it the doctor told papa just now ? ” asked 
Maud. 

“ He says that Alfred is very sick ; he has a fever and 
is delirious,” replied William, 

“ Delirious ? ” inquired James, “ what is that ? ” 

“ A person is delirious,” answered William, “ when he 
has such high fever that he does not know what he says, 
when he does not recognize anybody, and thinks he sees 
a great many things that he does not.” 


184 


THE ADVENTURES ON A DONEE t. 


“ What does Alfred think he sees ? ” asked Louis. 

“ He imagines all the time that Cadichon is before 
him and going to dart at him and bite or crush him 
under foot; the doctor is very anxious about him ; papa 
and my uncles have gone there now.” 

“ How base it was in Cadichon to throw poor Alfred 
into that disgusting hole ! ” said Beatrice. 

" Yes ; it was really base, sir,” exclaimed James, turn- 
ing towards me. “ Go ! you are wicked ! I do not love 
you anymore.” 

“ Nor I, nor I, nor I,” repeated all the children in 
unison. “ Go away, we want nothing more to do with 
you ! ” 

I was filled with consternation ; every one, even to 
my little James (heretofore so tender and affectionate), 
repulsed me now. 

I slowly directed my steps in another direction, but 
turned and looked so sadly at James that his heart was 
touched. Kunning to me, he put his hands on my head, 
and said in a caressing voice : 

“ Listen, Cadichon, we don’t love you now, but if you 
do better 1 assure you we will love you as before.” 

“ No, no ; never as before ! ” exclaimed all the rest ; 
“ he has been too bad ! ” 

“ You see, Cadichon, wdiat comes of being bad,” said 
little James, passing his hand over my neck. “ You see 
that no one cares for you — but,” added lie, whispering in 
my ear, “ I still love you a little, and if you give up your 
ugly tricks I will love you a great deal, just as before.” 





Ho imagine that Caclichon is going to jump on him.— (Page 184 ) 


10 * 


(185) 

































- . 

1 

' 










. 






















- 

‘ 

« . 






















































» • 

♦ 

T - 






THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


187 


“ Take care, James,” said Henry, “ don’t go too near 
him ; if he should give you a bite or a kick, he would 
make you suffer much.” 

“ There is no danger ; I am very sure he’ll never bite 
any of us.” 

u And why not ? ” He threw Alfred off twice.” 

“ Oh ! but Alfred, that’s another thing ; he does not 
like Alfred.” 

“And why doesn’t he like Alfred ? What did Alfred 
ever do to him ? He might take a notion some day not 
to like us either.” 

James made no answer, for indeed there was nothing 
he could say ; but he shook his head, and turning towards 
me, gave me such a friendly little caress, that I was 
affected to tears. The abandonment of all the others, 
rendered still more precious those marks of affection 
from my dear little J ames ; and for the first time a sin- 
cere thought of repentance found its way into my heart. 
Poor Alfred’s illness caused me much anxiety. In the 
afternoon, we heard that he was worse, and the physician 
entertained fears of his life. Towards evening my 
young masters themselves went to his father’s to make 
inquiries about him. Their cousins impatiently awaited 
their return, and at the first glimpse of them all cried 
out : “ Well, what news ? how is Alfred t ” 

“ Very sick,’* answered William* “and yet, not quite 
so ill as he was.’* 

“ His poor father,” said Henry, “ is greatly to be pitied ; 
he weeps and sighs, aud begs tli e good God to spare him 


188 


THE ADVENTURES OF A EONKEY. 


his son ; he said so many touching things, that I could 
not help crying myself.” 

“ ¥e must all remember him in our evening prayers, 
we must pray with him and for him, must we not, dear 
ones?” sad Elizabeth. 

“ Certainly, with all our hearts,” responded every child 
at once. 

“ Poor Alfred ! suppose he should die ! ” said Beatrice. 

“ Then,” answered Maud, “ his father would lose his 
mind from grief, for Alfred is his only child ! ” 

“ Where is Alfred’s mother ? ” said Elizabeth, “ we 
never see her.” 

“ It would be very astonishing if we were to see her,” 
answered William, “ for she has been dead ten years.” 

“And the singular part of it is, that the poor lady’s 
death was caused by her falling into the water whilst on 
a boating party,” said Henry. 

“ How ? was she drowned,” inquired Elizabeth. 

“ Ho,” said William, “she was rescued immediately; 
but it was warm weather, and the sudden chill of the 
water, combined with the fright, threw her into a fever 
and delirium just like Alfred’s, from which she died in 
eight days.” 

“ Oh ! my God! ” exclaimed Maud, “ grant it may not 
be thus with Alfred! ” . , 

“And for this intention we must pray fervently,” said 
Elizabeth, “ perhaps the good God will grant our request.” 

“ Where is James ? ” inquired Beatrice. 

“ He was here just now, he will return,” said Maud. 



(IB)) 



























































» 


























. 














J 









































/ 

•' . . 








































































■ 












































• - 











































♦ - 






. 






*■ . 




* * • 



















* ; • , 














•jfr .w . . 

' / .V. 










































* 








v>*.‘ 














» ' - 



























































THE ADVENTURES OF A DCNKEY. 101 

But the poor child did not return, for ho had thrown 
himself upon his knees behind a chest, and with his head 
buried in his hands, he wept and prayed ! And it was I 
who had caused all this sorrow, Alfred’s illness, his father’s 
anxiety and bitter grief, my little James’s distress. This 
thought was a sad one for me, I began to reflect that it 
would have been better to have left Medor’s death 
unavenged. 

“ What good did Alfred’s fall do to Medor ! ” I asked. 
“ Medor is none the less lost to me, and the vengeance I 
have taken, has only served another purpose, that of 
making me feared and detested.” 

I impatiently awaited the next morning’s news of 
Alfred, and I was among the first to hear, for James and 
Louis harnessed me to the little carriage to take them 
over. Immediately on our arrival, we learned from a 
servant who was hastening for the doctor, that Alfred had 
passed a bad night, and had just had a convulsion that 
greatly alarmed his father. James and Louis waited for 
the doctor. He was not long in coming, and promised 
to give them correct news of his patient. 

In half an hour he decended the steps. 

“ Oh ! Mister Tudoux, how is Alfred ? ” inquired 
Louis and James. 

“ Very sick, very sick, my children, but not as ill as I 
feared,” said Mister Tudoux very slowly. 

“ But these convulsions,” asked Louis, “ are they not 
dangerous \ ” 

“Ho, his convulsion resulted from great irritation of 


192 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


the nervous system. I gave him a pill that will com- 
pose him. He is not dangerously ill” said Doctor 
Tudoux, in the same slow, deliberate manner. 

“ Then, Mister Tudoux, you do not think he will 
die? ” asked James. 

u Ho, no, no,” was the reply in the same measured 
tones, “ he is not seriously ill, not at all.” 

“ I am so glad ! ” exclaimed both the boys, “ thanks 
Mister Tudoux. Good-bye, we must hasten home to 
take the good news to our cousins.” 

“ Wait, wait a moment. Isn’t that Cadichon you are 
driving ? ” 

“ Yes, this is Cadichon,” replied James. 

“ Then take care,” said Doctor Tudoux calmly, “ he 
might throw you into a ditch as he did Alfred. Tell 
your grandmother she ought to sell him, he is a danger- 
ous animal,” 

And the Doctor bade them good morning. As for me, 
I remained in such a state of astonishment and humilia- 
tion, that I stood motionless, never dreaming of taking 
a step homeward until my little masters had thrice said 
to me : 

“ Come, Cadichon, get up ! — Go, Cadichon, get along, 
we are in a hurry ! — Are you going to sleep here, Cadi- 
chon ? Get up, get up ! ” 

I started at last, and ran all the way to the house, 
reaching which, we found the cousins, uncles and aunts, 
papas and mammas assembled at the first entrance, 
anxiously awaiting our return. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


193 


“ He is better,” exlaimed James and Louis, and then 
they related their conversation with Mister Tudoux, not 
forgetting his last injunction. 

With lively trepidation, I awaited the grandmother’s 
decision. After an instant’s reflection, she said : 

“ It is very certain, my dear children, that Cadichon 
no longer deserves our confidence, and I do not wish the 
smaller of you to mount him. The very next trick he 
plays on any one, I shall sell him to the miller, who will 
give him employment in carrying bags of flour, but I 
want to try him a little longer, before reducing him to 
this state of humiliation. Perhaps he will reform, we 
shall be able to tell very well at the end of a few 
months.” 

My dejection, my humiliation, my repentance in- 
creased, but I could not repair the evil I had wrought 
myself, except by dint of patience, gentleness and time. 
I was deeply wounded both in my pride and my affec- 
tions. 

Next day wo heard still more encouraging news of 
Alfred. A few days later he was convalescent, and 
ceased to be the subject of anxiety at the castle. 

But I could never have him out of my mind, for some 
one was continually saying within my hearing : 

“ Beware of Cadichon ! Kemember Alfred ! ” 


17 


XXIII. 


THE REFORMATION. 

Since the day I had scratched Alfred’s face, brushing 
him up against all the thorny bushes along the road, and 
ended by pitching him into the ditch, there was a very 
visible change in the treatment I received from my little 
masters, their parents, and in fact, from every one about 
the place. The very animals behaved differently towards 
me ; they seemed to avoid me, moving off when I 
approached them, or maintaining a rigid silence in my 
presence ; for, as I have already remarked in connection 
with my friend Medor, we other animals converse among 
ourselves without speaking as men do, movements of the 
eyes, the ears, the tail taking the place of w T ords. I 
knew only too well what had caused this change, and I 
was more irritated than grieved, until one day, when, 
alone as usual, taking my ease at the foot of a pine tree, 
I saw Henry and Elizabeth approach ; they seated them- 
selves and continued their conversation. 

“ I believe you are right, Henry,” said Elizabeth, “ and 
I agree with you ; I also care very little for Cadichon 
since he treated Alfred so badly.” 

“ And not only Alfred ; don’t you remember the fair 

( 194 ) 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


195 


of Laigle, liow lie behaved to the learned donkey’s mas- 
ter ? ” replied Henry. 

“Ah! ah! ah! Yes; I recollect very well, it was 
funny ! Everybody laughed ; but for all that, we thought 
he displayed more wit than heart.” 

“ That is true ; he humbled the poor donkey and his 
master. I have been told that the unfortunate man was 
so ridiculed he had to leave without a cent in his pocket, 
and his wife and children were in tears for want of 
something to eat.” 

“ And it was all Cadichon’s fault.” 

“ Certainly ; except for him the poor man would have 
made enough to live on several weeks.” 

u And, then, do you remember what was told us about 
the tricks he played his former masters ? He ate their 
vegetables, broke their eggs, soiled their linen — I am 
decidedly of your opinion ; I care for him no more.” 

Elizabeth and Henry arose and continued their walk. 
I remained sad and dejected ; my first impulse was to 
get angry and gratify myself by taking some slight 
revenge, but reflection convinced me that they were 
right ; I was always taking revenge, and what had it 
availed me ? it had rendered me unhappy. 

First, I had broken the teeth and the arm of one of 
my mistresses, and kicked her in the stomach. The con- 
sequence was that I would have been beaten almost tq 
death had I not luckily made my escape. 

I had also played numberless tricks on one of my 
masters, who had been good to me until I got lazy and 


196 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


vicious ; then he treated me harshly, and I became 
very unhappy. 

As to the death of my friend Med or, I had never 
reflected that Alfred killed him not intentionally, or 
from malice, but through awkwardness, and that for his 
stupidity the boy was not to blame. In revenge, I had 
tormented him, finishing by causing him a spell of sick- 
ness, the consequence of his plunge into the ditch. 

And besides all these, of what numberless untold tricks 
had I not been guilty ! 

The end of which was that no one cared for me. I 
was alone, no one came near to console or caress me, 
even the animals kept out of my way. 

“ What shall I do ? ” I sadly asked myself. “ If I 
Could speak, I would go and tell them all that I have 
repented, that I beg pardon for my past conduct, that 
hereafter, 1 promise to be good and gentle, but alas! — - 
I cannot make them understand, I cannot speak! ” 

I threw myself upon the grass and wept, not as men 
shed tears, but in the depths of my heart ; I wept, I 
bemoaned my sad lot, and for the first time I repented 
sincerely. 

“ Ah ! if I had been good ” said I “ and instead of 
displaying my intelligence, had tried to show kindness, 
gentleness, patience! if I had only been to every one 
what I was to Pauline ! how every one would love me, 
and how happy I should now be ! ” 

I reflected a long time, a very long time, forming first 
good resolutions and plans and then bad. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


197 


At last, I decided upon a reformation so as to regain 
the favor of my masters and comrades, and I began im- 
mediately to put my good resolutions into practice. 

For some time, I had had a comrade that I treated very 
badly, a donkey which was bought for the little ones, as 
they were afraid to ride me after I came so near drown- 
ing Alfred. The larger children were not afraid of me, 
but I had lost favor and there were no longer any dis- 
putes at their riding parties, as to who should have me, 
little James being the only one who asked for me. 

This comrade was the object of my especial contempt, 
I always kept him behind me, kicking and biting him 
if he attempted to pass, until at last, the poor animal 
was worried into giving me first place and submitting to 
all my caprices. 

That eveniug when the time arrived for us to go into 
the stable, I found myself near the door almost at the 
same moment as my comrade. He eagerly made w T ay 
for me to enter first, but as he w r as a few steps ahead, I 
stopped in turn, and made a sign for him to pass. The 
poor donkey obeyed me, but trembling, suspicious of my 
politeness and believing it only the prelude to some 
trick, for instance a kick or a bite. He was very much 
astonished to find himself safe and sound in his stall, and 
to see me take my place peaceably in mine. 

Hoticing his astonishment, I said to him : 

“ Brother, I have treated you very badly, but I shall 
do so no longer ; I have been proud, but I shall never be 
so again ; I have despised, humiliated, insulted you, but 
17* 


198 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I do not intend to repeat it. Pardon me, brother, and 
in future regard me as a companion, a friend.” 

“ Thanks, brother,” replied the poor donkey over- 
joyed. “ I was unhappy, but I will be happy now ; I 
was sad, I will be gay ; I felt myself isolated, but now 
I feel loved and protected. Thanks again, brother, love 
me, for I already love you.” 

“ Let me in turn, brother, thank yon,” said I, “ for I 
have been spiteful and you have pardoned me, I have 
made advances and you have not repulsed me, I have 
offered you my friendship, and you have given me yours. 
Yes, it is my turn, brother, to thank you.” 

And eating our supper, we thus continued to converse. 
It was the first time, for hitherto I had never deigned to 
notice him. I found him much better and wiser than 
myself, and I asked him to assist me in my new life, 
which he promised to do with equal affection and modest} 7 . 

The horses, witnesses of our conversation and my unac- 
customed gentleness, glanced at me and then at one 
another with surprise. Although they conversed in an 
undertone, I heard one say : 

“ This is all pretence on Cadichon’s part ; he is going 
to play some trick on his companion.” 

“ Poor donkey,” answered the second horse, “ I pity 
him. Suppose we give him a hint of it.” 

“ Oh, no indeed,” replied the first horse. “ Silence ! 
Cadichon is wicked ! he would pay us up for this if he 
Were to hear us.” 

I was deeply wounded at the bad opinion those two 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


199 


horses liad of me; the third said nothing, but putting 
his head over the stall, he observed me attentively. I 
looked at him sadly and humbly. He appeared surprised 
but never moved, and continued to regard me in silence. 

Fatigued and worn out by sorrow and regret, 1 lay 
down upon my bed, and as I did so, perceived it was less 
soft and comfortable than my comrade’s. Instead of 
getting angry as formerly, I recognized the justice of such 
treatment, and indulged in penitent reflexions. 

“ I have been wicked,” said I, “ and they have pun- 
ished me ; I have made myself detestable, and they have 
made me feel it. I ought to congratulate myself on not 
having been sent to the mill, where I would be beaten, 
badly stabled, and my back broken with heavy loads.” 

Thus bemoaning my past misdeeds, I fell asleep. As 
I awoke the next morning the coachman entered the 
stable, assisting me to rise with a kick, he took off my 
halter and set me at liberty. I remained at the door, 
and to my surprise, beheld him curry and carefully rub 
down my comrade, then pass my beautful ornamented 
bridle over his head, put my English saddle on his back, 
and lead him around to the front entrance. 

Anxious, trembling with emotion, I followed, and oh ! 
what was my chagrin, my desolation to see James, my 
beloved little master, approach my comrade, and after a 
little hesitation, seat himself in the saddle. I remained 
motionless, overcome with grief. Dear little James per- 
ceived my consternation, for coming up to me, he patted 
me on the head and said sadly : 


200 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Poor Cadichon ! you see what you have done ! I am 
not afraid to ride you, but papa and mama are afraid you 
will pitch me off. Goodbye, poor Cadichon; be quiet, 
I will always like you.” 

And he rode slowly off*, followed by the coachman, 
who cried out to him : 

“ Take care, Master James, do not stay too near Cadi- 
chon, he will bite you, he will bite your donkey, you 
know very well how wicked he is.” 

“ He never was wicked with me and he never will be,” 
answered James. 

The coachman struck the donkey, which started at a 
trot, and both he and his rider were soon out of sight. 
I remained rooted to the spot, overwhelmed with emo 
tion, which was so much the more violent in proportion 
to the impossibility of making anyone understand my 
repentance and my good resolutions. Almost frantic 
with the insupportable weight oppressing my heart, I 
started off in a run, not knowing whither 1 went. I ran 
a long time, breaking through hedges, leaping ditches, 
clearing fences, crossing streams, not stopping till I came 
to a wall which I could neither break nor leap. 

I looked around me. Where was I ? The country 
seemed familiar, but I could not remember when I had 
ever been there before. I skirted the wall at a rapid 
pace. I was in a foam, having run several hours, judg- 
ing by the sun. A few steps brought me to the end of 
the wall ; I turned the. corner, and recoiled with surprise 
and terror— I Was not more than two steps from Pauline’s 
tomb. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


201 


My anguish was more bitter than ever. “ Pauline, my 
dear little mistress ! ” I exclaimed, “ you loved me because 
I was good ; I loved you because yon were good and 
unhappy. After losing you, I found others, who, good 
like you, treated me kindly. I was happy then, but all 
is changed now ; my bad disposition, the desire of dis- 
playing my ability and satisfying my vengeance have 
destroyed all my happiness ; no one cares for me now, 
and if I were to die no one would regret me.” 

I wept bitterly within myself, and for the hundredth 
time reproached myself with my misconduct. One con- 
soling thought suddenly inspired me with consolation. 
“ If I reform,” thought I, “ and do as much good as I 
have evil, perhaps my young masters will receive me 
again into their confidence, my dear little James 
especially, who still loves me a little. But how shall I 
make known to them my repentance and reformation \ ” 

"Whilst thus reflecting on my future, I heard steps 
approaching the wall, and the harsh voice of a man, 
saying : 

“ "What is the use of crying, simpleton ? Tears will 
not give you bread, will they ? Since I have nothing to 
give you, what do you wish me to do here ? Do you sup- 
pose I have a full stomach, 1 w r ho have swallowed nothing 
since yesterday morning but air and dust ? ” 

“ I am very tired, father.” 

“ Well, let us rest under the shade of this wall for a 
quarter of an hour ; I am quite willing.” 

As they turned the wall and seated themselves near 


202 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


the tomb where I stood, judge of my astonishment at 
seeing Mirliflore’s poor master, with his wife and son ! 
They all had a hungry, emaciated, care-worn appearance. 

The father looked at me; he seemed surprised, and, 
after a few minutes hesitation : 

“ If I see aright,” said, he, “ this is the donkey, the 
beggarly donkey that made me lose more than fifty francs 
at the Laigle fair. You wicked animal,” he continued, 
addressing me, “ you were the cause of my poor Mirli- 
fiore being killed by the crowd ; it was you who pre- 
vented my gaining money enough to have lived on a 
month ; you shall pay up for it ! ” 

He arose and approached, but I did not stir, being 
keenly conscious that I had merited this man’s indigna- 
tion. He was astonished. 

“ It cannot be the same,” said he, “ for he does not 
budge any more than a stick — “Pretty fellow,” he con- 
tinued addressing me and smoothing my limbs. “If I 
had him only a month, you would not want bread my 
son, nor your mother, nor would my stomach be so 
empty.” 

My mind was made up in an instant, I resolved to 
follow this man for several days, and suffer everything if 
necessary, to help him make some money for his family, 
in reparation of the wrong I dad done him. 

When they resumed their journey, I followed them ; 
at first, it was not noticed, but the father having looked 
around several times, and seen me always at their heels, 
tried to drive me back. I refused to leave them, persist- 



The owner of Mirliflore, with his wife and son.— (Tage 202 ) 


( 203 ) 






























































































• • 










i **• 


- - 





























« 




















t 































.. .. 






*. . 




















. • 














. _• ’VT- 


































* 













- • ; ‘ ‘ * " , 

*• • 

— ~r •.'izi' 

- - - ■ . 















- 































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


205 


ently returning to my place beside or just behind 
them. 

“ It is strange ” said the man, “ that this animal will 
follow us ! My faith, since he is so determined, let him 
do it.” 

On reaching the village, he presented himself at an 
inn, and asked for a meal and lodging, frankly confess- 
ing that he had not a cent in his pocket. 

“We have beggars enough of our own, my good 
man,” answered the inn-keeper, “ without adding those 
who do not belong here, you must go elsewhere.” 

I darted to the inn-keeper’s side, and saluted him sev- 
eral times in such a grotesque fashion as to make him 
laugh. 

“ This animal of yours does not appear stupid,” said 
the inn-keeper, laughing. “ If you will let us see some 
of his tricks, I will cheerfully give you food and lodg- 
ing.” 

“ I do not refuse, landlord, but we must have some- 
thing in our stomachs first,” answered the man, “ when 
fasting, one cannot control his voice properly.” 

“'Come in, come in, you shall be waited on ; Madelon, 
my old woman, dinner for three, not counting the 
donkey.” 

Madelon brought them some good soup, which w’as 
swallowed in the twinkling of an eye, then a nice piece 
of boiled meat and some cabbage, both of which disap- 
peared with equal rapidity, and at last, a dish of salad 
18 


206 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

and some cheese, which they devoured with less avidity, 
their hunger by this time being somewhat appeased. 

My dinner was a bundle of hay, but I ate very little, 
I had too heavy a heart to be hungry. 

The inn-keeper had collected all the village to see me 
perform, and the yard was filled, when my new master 
led me out into the circle. He seemed greatly embar- 
rassed, not knowing my capacity or whether I had 
received any education. At a venture he said to me : 

“ Salute the society.” 

“ I made a bow to the right, to the left, before me and 
behind, and everybody applauded.” 

“ What are you going to make him do now ? ” said the 
wife in an under tone, “he doesn’t know what you 
mean.” 

“ Perhaps he will understand. These educated don- 
keys are intelligent, I am going to try him.” 

“Go, Mirliflore,” (this name made me sigh) “go, kiss 
the prettiest lady here.” 

Looking right and left, I perceived behind nearly 
every one else, the landlord’s daughter, a pretty brunette 
of some fifteen or sixteen years. I directed my steps 
towards her, and pushing away with my head, those who 
blocked the passage, I went up to her and put my nose 
against her forehead. • She laughed and seemed to be 
quite pleased. 

“Say now, father Hutfer, you gave that lesson, didn’t 
you \ ” exclaimed several in the crowd, laughing. 

“Ho, upon my honor,” answered Hutfer, “I came 
only as a spectator.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 207 

f/ Q - 1 *•., . . 

“ Now, Mirliflore,” said my new master, “ go find some- 
thing, no matter what, and give it to the poorest person 
present.” 

I went towards the room in which they had just dined, 
seized a loaf of bread and triumphantly deposited it in 
his own hands. 

There was a general laugh, everybody applauded. 
“ That’s not your lesson, father Hutfer,” cried a friend, 
“ this donkey really is sensible, he has profited well by 
his master’s training.” 

“Are you going to let him have a whole loaf of bread 
like that? ” said some one in the crowd. 

“No, not that,” answered Hutfer, “give it to me, 
donkey-man, this was not in our agreement.” 

“ It was not, landlord,” responded the man, “ never- 
theless my donkey told the truth, when he pointed me 
out as the poorest here, for until we got our dinner, my 
wife, my son, and myself had eaten nothing since yester- 
day morning, for want of two sous to buy a bit of bread. 

“ Let him have the bread, father, said Helen Hutfer, 
“our meal bins are full, and the good God will recom- 
pense us for what we give away.” 

“ That is just like you, Helen,” said Hutfer, “ if one 
listened to you, he would give away all he has.” 

“ We are no longer poor, father, the good God always 
blesses our harvests and our house.” 

“ Well, then— since you wish it — let him keep his 
bread, I am willing.” 

At these words, I went up to him, and made him a 


203 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


profound bow. Then taking between my teeth a little 
empty pan, I presented it to each one for his contribu- 
tion, and when after going the round my pan was full, I 
emptied the contents into my master’s hands, put the pan 
where I had found it, and making a bow, I gravely 
retired amidst a storm of applause. 

My heart felt lighter. I was consoled and strengthened 
in my good resolutions. My new master seemed delighted. 
As lie was about to retire, every one surrounded him, 
begging a second exhibition on the morrow, which he 
eagerly promised, and then went into the room with his 
wife and son to rest. 

When they found themselves alone, the wife, after look- 
ing cautiously around her, and perceiving no one but me 
with my head resting upon the window, said to her hus- 
band in a low tone : 

“ Say husband, don’t you think it very singular our 
meeting this donkey coming out of a cemetery, its follow- 
ing us of its own accord, and making so much money for 
us? What amount have you there? ” 

“ I have not yet counted,” he answered, come help me, 
you take this handful and I, the other.” 

“ I have eight francs and four sous,” said the woman, 
after counting. 

“And I have seven fifty — that makes — how much does 
that make, wife ? ” 

“ How much does that make ? Eight and four make 
thirteen, and seven make twenty-four, and fifty make — 
make — somewhere about sixty.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


209 


“ How stupid you are ! Sixty francs in my hands, 
indeed ! It is an impossibility ! Come, my son, you are 
something of a scholar, you ought to know that.” 

44 What is it, papa?” 

44 I have eight francs four sous on one side, and seven 
francs fifty on the other.” 

44 Eight and four make twelve,” said the boy, with 
quite a decided air ; 44 carry one, and^seven make twenty, 
carry two, and fifty make — make — fifty — fifty-two, carry 
five.” 

“ Dunce! how could that make fifty, since I have eight 
in one hand and seven in the other ? ” 

44 And fifty besides, papa.” 

“ 4 And fifty besides, papa ? ’ ” said his father, mocking 
him. 44 Don’t you see, simpleton, that the fifty are cent- 
imes? and centimes are not francs.” 

44 Ho, papa ; but it would still be fifty.” 

44 Fifty what ? How stupid ! how stupid ! If I were 
to give you fifty knocks, would you call them fifty 
francs ? ” 

44 Ho, papa ; but they would still be fifty.” 

44 Here is one on the account, big animal,” said the 
man, giving him a blow that resounded through the 
house. The boy began to cry. I was enraged. If this 
poor boy was stupid, it was not his fault. 

44 This man,” said I, 44 does not merit my pity ; he has 
now, thanks to myself, enough to support himself and 
family for the next eight days. I shall still make more 
18 * 


210 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

at to-morrow’s exhibition, and, after that, I return to my 
masters, perhaps they will receive me kindly.” 

I withdrew from the window and refreshed myself with 
a few fresh thistles that I saw growing on the edge of a 
ditch. I then went to the stable, and, finding the best 
places there already occupied by the horses, I modestly 
took a corner that no one wanted. There I could reflect 
at my ease, for nobody knew me, nobody troubled him- 
self about me. Towards night, Helen Hutfer entered 
the stable to see if everything had been attended to, and, 
perceiving me in my damp, obscure corner, without a 
bed, hay or oats, she called one of the stable boys : 

“ Ferdinand,” said she, “ make a bed for this poor 
donkey here on the damp ground, give him a measure of 
oats and a bundle of hay, and see that he has water.” 

“ Miss Helen,” replied Ferdinand, “ you will ruin your 
papa ; you are too careful of everything. What differ- 
ence does it make whether this beast sleeps on a hard or 
a good bed ? It is a waste of straw, that ! ” 

“ You don’t find me too careful or kind when it con- 
cerns yourself, Ferdinand ; I wish everything here to be 
well treated, beasts as well as men.” 

“ Although,” said Ferdinand, with a mischievous air, 
“ there are not a few men who could easily be taken for 
beasts, notwithstanding they do walk on two legs.” 

“ Wherefore we say : ‘ Beast which eat hay,’ ” answered 
Helen, smiling. 

“ Oh ! I would never give hay to you, miss, indeed ! 
You have the wit — the wit— and the mischief of a 
monkey ! ” 


“Ah ! miss, I did not say you wore a monkey.”— (Page 213.) 



( 211 ) 














J i 





THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


213 


Thanks for the compliment, Ferdinand ! “ What are 

you then, if I am a monkey ? ” 

“ Ah ! Miss, I did not say you were a monkey ; and if 
I expressed myself badly, call me a donkey, a simpleton, 
an owl.” 

“ No,' no, not so bad as that, Ferdinand, but only a 
babbler who talks when he ought to work. Make a bed 
for the donkey,” added she in a serious tone, “ and feed 
and water him.” 

She left the stable and Ferdinand complied with her 
orders in a measure, grumbling all the while. He made 
me a bed, giving me a few thrusts of the pitchfork as he 
did so, ill-naturedly threw me a bundle of hay and a 
handful of oats, and put a bucket of water beside me. 

Not being fastened I could easily have left the place, 
but in pursuance of my good resolutions I preferred to 
suffer a little and give on the morrow, my second, and 
last exhibition for the benefit of the man I had wronged. 

Towards evening of the next day my master led me 
out to a large square crowded with curious spectators ; 
I had been well advertised in the morning, the vil- 
lage drummer having gone through the village at an 
early hour crying out : “ This evening at eight o’clock 

there will be a grand exhibition of the learned donkey, 
Mirliflore; it will take place in the square opposite the 
school and mayor’s office.” 

I repeated all the preceding day’s tricks, and added 
some dances executed with grace ; I waltzed, I polkied, 
and, I played on Ferdinand the innocent trick of en- 


214 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


gaging him to waltz by braying before him, and extend- 
ing my front hoof in invitation. He refused at first, but 
when every one cried out: “ Yes, yes, a waltz with a 
donkey! ” he darted into the circle laughing, and began 
to cut a thousand capers that I imitated at my best. 

At last, feeling fatigued, I left Ferdinand caper alone, 
and went as on the preceding day to get a pan. Hot 
finding any, I took between my teeth a basket without 
a lid, and, as before, presented it to each one for a con- 
tribution. It was soon so full that I had to empty it in 
the blouse of my reputed master. I continued my beg- 
ging, and, when all had given me, I, making a profound 
bow to the assembly again returned to my master, and 
waited till he had counted the proceeds which amounted' 
to more than thirty-four francs. Thinking I had now 
made sufficient reparation for the past, I felt at liberty 
to return home, and consequently, after a parting saluta- 
tion to my master, I wedged my way through the 
crowd, and started off in a trot. 

“ Look there, your donkey has got away ! ” said Hut- 
fer, the inn-keeper. 

“ How prettily he files off,” said Ferdinand. 

My pretended master turned around, looked at me 
anxiously, and called, “ Mirliflore, Mirliflore ; ” but see- 
ing I paid no attention, he cried out most piteously : 

“ Stop him, stop him, please ! -It is my bread, my liv- 
ing he carries off; do run catch him, if you bring him 
back I promise you another exhibition.” 

“ Tell us where you got him, and how long you have 
had him ? ” said a man named Clonet. 


The town crier— (Page 213.) 



( 215 ) 



























. f 
































- 































j 






i 



/ 

> 




*> 

. 

























? 

• 












! 


• * 




























. *- * * , 

f •••■ i . ' V 

, . " .x 










» .. . 




. .. ‘ ' 




; > >5 

- . - ; * * ' • ^ - - 




t i * 







4 




























• . . . 




. 

* 













































■ ■ - • 

; 

‘ ' 


























































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


217 


" I have had him — since I owned him,” answered my 
false master, somewhat embarrassed. 

u I know that,” said Clonet, “but how long have you 
owned him ? ” 

The man was silent. 

“ It appears to me,” added Clonet, “ that I recognize 
him, he is the image of Cadichon, the donkey of Herpi- 
niere castle ; If I am not very much mistaken it is 
Cadichon.” 

“ I was stopped. I heard a confused murmuring of 
voices, I saw the trouble menacing my new master, who 
suddenly dashed through the crowd, and followed by his 
wife and son, darted off in the opposite direction to that 
I had taken. 

Some wished to pursue him, but others said it was not 
worth while, since I had escaped and the man had taken 
nothing away with him but the silver, which was his own, 
I having honestly made it for him. 

" And as to Cadichon,” said they, “ give yourselves no 
concern about him, lie can find the road home, and more^ 
over, he will not let himself be taken unless he wishes 
it.” 

The crowd dispersed and all returned to their homes. 
I resumed my course hoping to reach my real masters 
before night, but the w T ay was long, and being fatigued 
I was consequently obliged to stop about a league from the 
castle. It was night, the stables would be locked, so I 
decided to make my bed in a little piece of pine woods 
bordering on a stream. 

19 


218 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


Scarcely had I lain down upon the moss, when I heard 
cautious steps and voices speaking in a whisper. I 
looked, but saw nothing, the night was too dark. I 
listened with all my ears and heard the conversation I 
am about to relate. 


XXIV. 

THE ROBBERS. 

“ It is not late enough yet, Finot, it would be wiser to 
hide ourselves in the woods a little longer.” 

“ But Passe Partout, w r e must have a little daylight to 
spy around ; I, especially, for I have not studied the 
entrances.” 

“You have never studied anything, your comrades 
certainly made a mistake in naming you Finot, I would 
have called you Pataud, instead.” 

“ That does not prevent my being the originator of all 
the good plans.” 

“Good plans indeed! that depends. What are we 
going to do at the castle ? ” 

“ What are we going to do ? Rifle the kitchen garden, 
cut up the artichokes, gather the peas, the beans, the 
turnips, carrots, carry off the fruits, that is the work.” 

“And what then ? ” 

“ Why do you say what then? We are going to col- 
lect everything in a pile, get it over the wall, and take it 
to the market at Moulins and sell it. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


219 


“And how will you get into the garden, dunce? ” 

“ Over the wall, with a ladder to be sure. Would you 
have me go to the gardener and politely request the loan 
of his keys and tools ? ” 

“ That’s a poor joke, I only want to know if you have 
marked out the place where we are to climb over the 
wall ? ” 

“No, and for that reason, I prefer going at once, to 
reconnoitre.” 

“And if they should see you, what would you say ? ” 

“ I would say — that I came to beg a glass of cider and 
a crust of bread.” 

“ That plan is not worth much. Now, here is my idea : 
I know the kitchen garden ; one part of the wall needs 
repairing ; I can climb up there by setting my feet 
among the stones ; I shall find a ladder and pass it over 
to you, as you are not very expert in climbing.” 

“ No ; I am not as much of a cat as you.” 

“ But suppose some one comes to upset our plans?” 

“You are a real child; if any one comes to disturb 
me, 1 shall know what to do.” 

“ What would you do ? ” 

“ If a dog, I would kill him ; 1 don’t carry my sharp 
knife to no purpose.” 

“ But suppose it’s a man ? ” 

“‘A man?’” answered Finot, scratching his ear* 
“ That would be more perplexing — A man ? yet a man 
can be killed as well as a dog. If it were only for some- 
thing valuable but for vegetables ! And, then, this castle 
is full of people.” 


220 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ But tell me, what would you do ? ” 

“ My faith ! I would make off as fast as possible ; it 
would be the safest plan.” 

“ You are a coward, do you know that ? If you see or 
hear a man, you have only to call me, and I will settle 
him.” 

“ Act according to your own taste ; it would not be 
mine.” 

“ Well, now we are agreed —this is the plan : To-night 
we go to the kitchen garden wall ; you remain at one 
end as a guard, whilst I climb over and get you a ladder, 
by means of which you rejoin me.” 

“ Yes; it is all right,” answered Finot. 

Just then lie looked anxiously around, listened, and 
said in a whisper : 

“ I heard something stir back there, could it be 
anybody ? ” 

“ Who wants to hide in the woods ? ” answered Passe 
Partout. “ You are always afraid ; it maybe a frog or 
a snake.” 

They said no more. I did not stir again, and I now 
began to devise some means of thwarting these robbers’ 
plans and causing their arrest. I could warn no one ; I 
could not even prevent their entering the garden. How- 
ever, after much reflection, I thought of a scheme that 
might end theirs. I let them set out ahead of me, 
determined not to budge until they were out of hearing. 

I knew they could not walk fast, as the night was very 
dark. I took a short cut, and, clearing several hedges, 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


221 


readied the wall long before them. I knew the dilapi- 
dated place of which Passe Partout had spoken, and, 
finding it, crouched as close as possible to the wall to 
prevent their discovering me. 

Here I waited at least a quarter of an hour, still no 
one came ; at last, I heard heavy footsteps and then a 
faint whispering. They approached very cautiously, one 
coming towards the spot in which I was concealed (this 
was Passe Partout), the other going in the opposite direc- 
tion, near the entrance (this was Pinot). 

I saw nothing, but I heard all. When Passe Partout 
reached the spot where several stones had fallen from the 
wall, and thus made a sufficient resting place for the 
feet, he began to ascend, assisting himself with his hands 
I did not stir ; I scarcely breathed ; I heard and underl 
stood every one of his movements. When he had climbed 
about as high as my head, I darted out from my hiding 
place, seized him by the leg and gave him a vigorous 
pull. Before he had time to recollect himself, he was on 
the ground, stunned by the fall, grounded by the stones. 
To prevent his crying out, or calling on his comrade for 
help, I gave him a hard kick on the head, which left him 
unconscious. I then took my station very near him, 
thinking his comrade would soon come to see what had 
happened. I had not waited long ere I heard Finot 
advancing very cautiously. He took a few steps and 
stopped — he listened, heard nothing — and went a few 
steps farther. In this manner, he at length drew very 
near his companion, but without perceiving it, as his 

19 * 


222 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


gaze was fixed upon the wall and the companion lay 
motionless on the ground. 

“ Pst ! pst ! Have you the ladder ? Must I mount 
now ? ” said he, in a low voice. The other, not hearing 
him, of course there was no answer. I saw that he was 
not much in the notion of climbing and might leave — it 
was time to act. I rushed at him, and, pulling him to 



the ground by the back of his blouse, gave him, like his 
companion, a hard kick on the head, and, with the same 
success, he lay motionless near his friend. Then, having 
nothing more to lose, I began to bray in my most formi- 
dable voice ; I ran to the gardener’s house, to the stables, 
to the castle, braying with such violence that everybody 
was aroused. Some of the bravest hastened out with 
arms and lanterns ; I ran up to them, and, by running a 


THE ADY ENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


223 


little ahead, led them to the two robbers stretched at the 
foot of the wall. 

“Two dead men! What can that mean?” said 
William’s father. 

“ They are not dead,” answered James’s father; “ they 
breathe.” 



“ And I just heard one groan,” said the gardener. 

“ Look at the blood ! Such a wound on his head ! ” 
said the coachman. 

“ And the other is similarly wounded ; it looks like 
the kick of a horse or mule,” said William’s father. 

“ Yes,” replied James’s father; “here is the mark of 
the shoe on his forehead.” 


22 f THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

u What are the gentlemen’s orders ? ” asked the coach- 
man ; “ what shall we do with these men ? ” 

“ Carry them to the house,” answered William’s father ; 
“ harness up the cab, and go for the doctor ; whilst wait- 
ing for him, the rest of us will try to restore them to 
consciousness.” 

The gardener brought a litter, on which the wounded 
men were placed and carried to a large room used as an 
orangery in winter. They were still unconscious. 

“ I do not know these faces,” said the gardener, after 
examining them attentively by the light. 

“ Perhaps they have some papers about them that will 
reveal their identity,” said Louis’s father ; “ we ought to 
let their families know they are here and wounded.” 

The gardener rummaged in their pockets, and drew’ 
forth some papers, which he handed James’s papa ; then 
tw’o sharp, pointed knives and a big bunch of keys. 

“ Ah ! ah ! This tells what these men are,” he 
exclaimed , “ they came to rob and perhaps kill ! ” 

“ I begin to understand it all now,” said William’s 
papa ; “ Cadichon’s presence and his extraordinary bray- 
ings explain matters ; these men came here to rob ; 
Cadichon instinctively divined their intentions, attacked 
them, kicked them on the head, and then began braying 
to arouse us.” 

“ That is just it, the very thing,” said James’s papa ; 
“ this brave Cadichon can boast of having rendered us a 
great service ; come, Cadichon, you are restored to favor 
this time.” 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 225 

I was happy once more, as I promenaded up and down 
before the green-house, whilst Finot and Passe Partout 
received the necessary attentions. They had not yet 
recovered consciousness, when Doctor Tudoux, who was 
not long in making his appearance, reached the spot. 
He examined their wounds. 

“ Here are two well-directed blows,” said he; “I see 
distinctly the mark of a small horse-shoe, or I might say 
a donkey’s — and,” added he, perceiving me, “ it is prob- 
ably a new piece of mischief on the part of this animal, 
which seems as interested in our actions as if he under- 
stood them.” 

“ Hot a piece of mischief, but an act of fidelity and 
intelligence,” answered William’s papa ; “ these men are 
robbers, as you see by the knives and papers found on 
them.” 

And he began to read : 

“ Ho. 1. Castle Herp. Many people ; not easily rob- 
bed — kitchen garden easy — vegetables and fruits, wall a 
little high. 

“ Ho. 2. Presbytery. Old priest ; no arms — woman 
servant, old and deaf— Good chance to rob during Mass 

“ Ho. 3. Sourval Castle. Master absent — wife alone on 
ground floor, servant in the second story, fine silver, 
easily robbed. Kill if they give an alarm. 

“ Ho. 4. Chanday Castle. Fierce watch dogs to be 
poisoned — no one on the ground floor — plate, gallery of 
rich curiosities and jewels to rob. Kill if anybody 


comes. 


226 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ You see,” continued lie, these men are burglars who 
came to rifle our garden in default of something better. 
Whilst you give them surgical attention, I will send to 
the town for the chief of the police.” 

Drawing from his pocket a case of surgical instru- 
ments, Doctor Tudoux took a lancet and bled the two 
robbers, who soon opened their eyes. They were greatly 
frightened at finding themselves in the castle and sur- 
rounded by people. When entirely restored to conscious- 
ness, they wished to speak. 

“ Silence knaves,” said Doctor Tudoux slowly and 
calmly. “ Silence, there is no necessity for your telling us 
who you are or what brought you here.” 

Finot put his hand in his vest ; the papers were not 
there, he sought his knife, it was also gone. He looked 
at Passe Partout with a serious air and said in a low 
voice : 

“ I told you in the woods I heard a noise.” 

“ Hush,” answered Passe Partout in the same tone, 
“ they will understand. We must deny everything.” 

“ But the papers, they have them.” 

“ We must say we found them.” 

“And the knives? ” 

“We found them also, we must make a bold stand.” 

“ Do you know who it was gave you that blow on the 
head which stretched you senseless ? ” 

“ My faith ! I do not know, I had not time to see or 
hear. I found myself on the ground and struck in a 
trice.” 


TI1E ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


227 


“And I the same. We must find out however, if they 
saw us climb the wall.” 

“We will indeed find out, those who attacked us, of 
course, will tell how and why.” 

“ That is true. Till then we must deny everything. 
Just now, let us agree upon the details of our account, 
so as not to contradict each other. First, were we jour- 
neying together ? Where did we find the—” 

" Separate these two men,” said Louis’s father, " they 
are agreeing upon the tale they are to tell.” 

Two men seized Finot, and two, Passe Partout, bound 
them hand and foot, in spite of their resistance, and car- 
ried Passe Partout into another room. 

The night was far advanced, all were impatiently 
awaiting the chief of the police. About daybreak he 
arrived, and accompanied by four policeman, having been 
told there was question of arresting two robbers. My 
little masters’ fathers recounted all that had happened, 
and produced the knives and papers found in the men’s 
pockets. 

“ This sort of a knife,” said the officer, " indicates dan- 
gerous burglars, who murder to further their purposes. 
Moreover, it is easy to learn from these papers, that they 
had planned several robberies in the neighborhood. I 
would not be at all surprised if these two men were not 
Finot and Passe Partout, very hardened brigands escaped 
from the galleys, and now the object of official pursuit 
in several of the departments, where they have commited 
numberless and audacious thefts. I am going to exam- 


228 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


ine them separately, you may assist at the exemination 
if you wish.” 

Saying this, he entered the room where Finot lay. 
Looking at him an instant, he said : 

“ Good morning, Finot ! so you are taken at last.” 

Finot trembled and reddened, but said nothing. 

“Ah ! Finot, so we have lost our tongue ? Neverthe- 
less, it was voluble enough at the last trial.” 

“ To whom were you speaking, sir,” said Finot look- 
ing all around him, “ there is no one here but myself.” 

“ I know that very well, it is to yourself I am speaking.” 

“I do not know, sir, why you address me thus, I am 
not acquainted with you.” 

“ Yes, but I am acquainted with you, you are Finot, 
an escaped criminal, condemned to the galleys for rob- 
bery and assaults.” 

“ You are mistaken, sir, I am not the person you pre- 
tend to know so well.” 

“ Then who are you, whence do you come, and where 
were you going ? ” 

I am a dealer in sheep and was on my way to a fair at 
Moulins, to buy lambs.” 

“ Indeed ! and your companion, is he also a dealer in 
sheep and lambs ? ” 

“ I do not know, we had met but a few moments before 
wo were attacked and overcome by a band of robbers.” 

“And what about the papers in your pockets ? ” 

“ I do not even know what they contain, we found 
them not far from here, and had not time to examine 
them. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


229 


“ And the knives ? ” 

“ The knives were with the papers.” 

Really, you were lucky, to find and pick up so much 
without being able to see, the night was very dark. 

“ It was mere chance. My comrade stepped upon 
something that felt strange, we both stooped down, and 
feeling around, found these papers and knives which we 
divided.” 

“ It is very unfortunate they were divided, for this 
circumstance furnishes evidence sufficient to thrust each 
of you in prison.” 

“-You have no right to put us in prison, we are honest 

men.” 

“ That is just what we are to find out, and before very 
long. Good-day, Finot. Do not disturb yourself, added 
he, seeing that Finot attempted to rise from the bench, 
“ Men, give this man every attention, and keep him 
under your eye, for he has already escaped us more than 
once,” 

The officer retired, leaving Finot anxious and de- 
jected. 

“ If Passe Partout should only give the same account 
as myself,” said Finot, “ but it is mere chance that ho 
does.” 

Seeing the officer enter, Passe Partout felt that all 
was lost ; however, he tried to conceal his anxiety and 
appear at ease, whilst the policeman looked at him 

attentively. 

20 


230 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ How do you happen to be here wounded and tied ? ” 
said the officer. 

“ I know nothing about it,” answered Passe Partout. 
“ You certainly know who you are, where you were 
going, by whom you were wounded.” 

“ I know very well who I am, and where I was going, 
but I do not know w T ho brutally attacked me.” 

“Well then, we will proceed in Order — who are 
you?” 

“Is that your business? You have no right to ask 
travelers who they are.” 

“ I have so good a right, that I put thumb-screws on 
those who refuse to answer, and take them to prison.” 

I will begin again : “ who are you ? ” 

“ I am a cider merchant.” 

“ Your name if you please,” 

“ Robert Partout.” 

“ Where were you going ? ” 

“ Just wherever I could by cider.” 

“ You were not alone, you had a companion ? ” 

“ Yes, my partner in business, we attend to our affairs 
together.” 

“ And these papers in your pockets, do you know any- 
thing about them ? ” 

“ Ah ! ” said Passe Partout mentally, he has read 
these papers, and thinks he can catch me there, but I 
will outwit him.” 

And then he added aloud : 

“ Do I know anything about them ? I certainly do. 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


231 


You moan the papers the brigands lost, and which I 
intended taking to the city police.” 

“ How did you get these papers ? ” 

“ We found them on the way, and having read them, 
were so anxious to deliver them to the authorities, that 
we continued our journey at night.” 

“ And the knives that were found on you? ” 

w The knives ? we brought them to defend ourselves, 
for we had been told there were robbers in this part of 
the country.” 

“ How and by whom were you and your companion 
wounded ? ” 

“ By robbers who came upon us without our seeing 
them.” 

t£ Ah ! Finot’s account is different from yours.” 

(i Finot is so frightened that he has lost his memory, 
you must not credit what he says.” 

^‘1 do not believe what he says, any more than I 
believe what you yourself tell me, friend Passe Partout, 
for I am well acquainted with you, you have betrayed 
yourself. ” 

Passe Partout immediately perceived what a fool he 
had been in recognizing his companion as Finot. It -was 
a nickname given him at the prison in dirision of his 
lack of cunning. 

As to Passe Partout, his real name was Partout. One 
day as they were hurrying to the refectory, Finot ex- 
claimed, “ Passe Partout,” and the name became a fix- 
ture. He could deny matters no longer, still he would 
not confess; but shrugging his shoulders said: 


232 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Because I am acquainted with Finot ? It w r as no 
harm to suppose you spoke of my companion. I thought 
you called him Finot in derision.” 

“ Well, that is good ! twist that as you will ; it is none 
the less true, however, that you and your companion 
were journeying together buying cider, that you found 
these papers on the road, read them, and were carrying 
them to the town to put them in the hands of the authori- 
ties — that you bought the knives to defend yourselves 
against robbers, that you were attacked and wounded by 
these same robbers, —is not that the story ? ” 

“ Yes, yes ; that is, indeed, my account.” 

“ Say, rather, your tale ; for your companion has told 
quite another story.” 

“ What did lie say ? ” anxiously inquired Passe 
Par tout. 

“ It is not necessary for you to know just at present, 
but wdien you are both in the convict prison he will tell 
you.” 

And the officer went out of the room, leaving Passe 
Partout in a state of rage and anxiety easily imagined. 

“ Do you think, doctor, that these men are able to 
walk to the town ? ” inquired the officer of Doctor 
Tudoux. 

“ I think they can get there, if you do not urge them 
on too fast,” responded Doctor Tudoux, slowly. “ More- 
over, should they even give out on the way, you could 
easily send for a carriage and put them in it ; but they 
are badly kicked on the head, and might die in three or 
four days.” 


The officer on horseback rode beside the wagon. — (Page 235 .) 



20 * 


( 233 ) 






















i 









»» • 








•oX-V 


















THE AL VENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


235 


The officer was perplexed, for he was a kind man, and, 
although the prisoners deserved no pity, he did not wish 
to make them suffer unnecessarily. Mr. de Ponchat, 
father of William and Henry, seeing his embarrassment, 
proposed to harness up one of our conveyances. His 
offer was gratefully accepted, and, when the vehicle was 
brought to the door, Finot and Passe Partout were put 
into it, each between two guards. Moreover, their feet 
were tied to prevent their leaping out and escaping, and 
the officer on horseback rode beside the wagon, never 
losing sight of his prisoners. They soon disappeared, 
and I remained alone before the house, eating grass and 
impatiently awaiting my little masters, especially my 
dear James, whom I longed to see. I knew that the 
service I had just rendered would secure their pardon 
for all past misdeeds. 

When, at last, it was a reasonable hour in the morn- 
ing, and everyone about the castle, had arisen, dressed 
and breakfasted, a group rushed down the front steps. 
It was the children. All ran to me and caressed me to 
my heart’s content, but the caresses of none were so 
affectionate or so dear to me as those of little James. 

“My good Cadichon,” said he, “you have come back! 
I was so sorry when you w T ent away ! You see my dear 
Cadichon, that we still love you ! ” 

“ He has really become good,” said Maud. 

“And he has lost that insolent air he used to have,” 
said Beatrice. 

“And he bites his comrade and the watch dogs, no 
longer,” said Elizabeth. 


236 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“And he lets himself he saddle 1 anl bridled without 
trouble,” said Louis. 

Helen — “ And he doesn’t eat the bouquets, I hold in 
my hand.” 

Buth — “And he doesn’t kick any more when we 
mount him.” 

William— “And he doesn’t run after my pony any 
more to bite his tail.” 

James — “And he has saved all our fruits and vegeta- 
bles by causing the arrest of these robbers,” 

Henry — “And he has broken their hands with his 
feet.” 

Elizabeth — “ But how could he cause the arrest of the 
robbers ? ” 

William — “ We do not know all the particulars, but 
the household was aroused by his brayings. Papa, my 
uncles and some servants went out, and saw Cadichon 
galloping up and down from the house to the garden ; 
following him with lanterns till he came to the end of 
the wall around the kitchen garden, they there found 
these two men, unconscious whom they discovered to be 
robbers.” 

James — “ How could they tell these men were robbers ? 
do not robbers look and dress like us 

Elizabeth — “ Indeed they are not like us ! I have seen 
a band of robbers, they wore pointed hats, and chestnut 
colored mantles and they had such wicked countenances 
and enormous mustaches.” 

“ Oh ! where did you see them and when ? ” exclaimed 
all the children at once. 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


237 


Elizabeth — “ I saw them, last winter, at the Franconia 
theatre.” 

Henry — “Ah ! ah ! ah ! What nonsense ! I thought 
you meant real robbers, that you had met in some of 
your travels, and I was astonished at never having heard 
my uncle and aunt mention it.” 

“ Certainly, sir, they were real robbers,” answered 
Elizabeth quite piqued, “ the soldiers fought against them, 
and killed some and took some prisoners. There was 
nothing funny about it ; I was much frightened and some 
of the poor soldiers were wounded.” 

William — “Ah ! ah ! ah! how silly you are ! you saw 
what we call a drama, which is played by paid men, who 
repeat it every night.” 

Elizabeth — “ How can they repeat it when they are 
killed?” 

William — “ They only pretend to be killed or wounded, 
they are as sound as you or I.” 

Elizabeth — “ How then did papa and my uncles know 
these men were robbers ? ” 

William — “ Because knives to kill people were found 
in their pockets, and — ” 

“ But those knives to kill people, how are they made ? ” 
interrupted James. 

William— “ Like — like, all other knives.” 

James— “ Then how could you tell that they were to 
kill people? Perhaps they were to cut their bread ? ” 

William — “ You worry me James, you always want to 
understand everything, and you interrupted me, just as 


238 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


I was going to tell yon, that papers were found on them, 
revealing their plans ; it was all written down what they 
were to do, steal our vegetables, and kill the priest and 
many other people.” 

James— “And why were they not going to kill us ? ” 

Elizabeth — “ Because they know papa and my uncles 
are very brave, that they have pistols and guns, and also 
that we all would have helped.” 

Henry — “You would be famous assistance, indeed, if 
any one were to attack us.” 

Elizabeth — “I would be as brave as you, sir, and I 
would know very well how to pull the robbers by the 
legs to prevent their killing papa.” 

Maud — “Come, come; don’t quarrel, but let William 
tell us what he heard.” 

Elizabeth — “It is not necessary for William to tell us 
what we already know.” 

William — “Then why ask me how papa discovered that 
these men were robbers ? ” 

“ Masters William and Henry, master Alfred wants 
you,” said the gardener, who had just brought the vegc- 
tables for the kitchen. 

“ Where is he % ” asked William and Henry. 

“ In the garden,” answered the gardener ; “ he dares 
not come to the house, for fear of meeting Cadiclion.” 

I sighed, as I thought that poor Alfred feared me not 
without reason sihce the sad day I had treated him so 
shamefully, almost drowning him in a filthy ditch, after 
scratching him with briers and thorns, and nibbling the 
pony’s tail until he was pitched over its head. 


THE ADVENTURES CF A DONKEY. 


239 


“ I ought to make reparation,” said I ; “ wliat can I 
do, what service can I render him to convince him that 
he has no longer any reason to fear me ? ” 


XXV. 

THE REPARATION, 

Whilst I vainly pondered a means of convincing 
Alfred of my repentance, the children approached the 
spot where I browsed and meditated at the same time. 
I saw that Alfred kept at a distance and regarded me 
with mistrust. 

William — “ It is going to be warm to-day, and I don’t 
think it will be pleasant to go far. It would be better 
for us to remain in the shady park.” 

Alfred — “William is right, I have never regained my 
strength since that spell of sickness which nearly 
brought me to the grave, and consequently I am very 
easily fatigued.” 

Henry — “ You must owe Cadichon a grudge, since he 
was the cause of your illness.” 

Alfred — “ I do not believe he did it purposely, he was 
probably frightened at something on the road, and jumped 
aside, accidentally pitching me into that frightful ditch. 
So I do not hate him, but — ” 

William — “ But what? ” 


m 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


But,” said Alfred, blushing slightly, (( I would rather 
not get on him again.” 

The poor boy’s generosity touched me, and increased 
my regret at having treated him so badly. 

Maud and Beatrice now proposed to do some cooking, 
The children had built in their garden an oven, which 
they heated with dry wood, gathering it themselves, and 
this proposition was joyfully received. 

They ran to get kitchen aprons and returned to their 
garden prepared for work. Alfred and William brought 
the wood ; breaking each branch in two, they filled their 
oven. 

Before kindling the fire, they held a consultation as to 
what they should have for breakfast. 

“I wish an omelet,” said Maud. 

Beatrice — “ I, coffee and whipped cream.” 

Elizabeth — “ I, cutlets.” 

William — “ I, cold veal with vinegar sauce.” 

Henry — “ I, potato salad.” 

James — “ I, strawberries and cream.” 

Louis — “ I, slices of bread and butter.” 

Helen — “ I, grated sugar.” 

Ruth — “ And I, cherries.” 

Alfred — “ I will cut the bread, set the table, prepare 
the wine and water, and help generally.” 

And each one went to the kitchen to get materials for 
the desired dish. Maud brought eggs, butter, salt, pep- 
per, a fork and a frying pan. 

“ I must have some fire to melt my butter and cook 



Alfred and William brought the wood.— ;Page 240.) 


21 


(241) 




THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


243 


iny eggs,” said she. “ Alfred, Alfred, some fire, if you 
please.” 

" Where must I kindle it ? ” 

“ Near the oven, be quick, I am beating my eggs.” 

“ Alfred, Alfred,” called out Beatrice, “ run to the 
kitchen and get the coffee for the whipped cream, I for- 
got it, be quick.” 

“ I must kindle the fire for Maud.” 

“ You can do that afterwards, run quick and get my 
coffee, now it will not take you long, and I am in a 
hurry.” 

Alfred started off in a run. 

“ Alfred, Alfred,” said Elizabeth, “ I must have some 
embers and a gridiron for my cutlets; I have cut them 
nicely.” 

Alfred, who ran with the coffee, set out again for the 
gridiron. 

“ 1 must have oil for my vinegar sauce,” said William. 

“ And I, vinegar for my salad,” said Henry, “ quick, 
Alfred with the oil and vinegar.” 

Alfred who had just brought the gridiron, returned 
for the vinegar and oil. 

“ Oh ! my fire ! ” said Maud, “ is that how you light 
it, Alfred ? My eggs are beaten, you are going to make 
me lose my omelet.” 

“ My commissions have been so numerous, I have not 
had time to light the fire.” 

“And the coals?” cried Elizabeth, “where are you, 
Alfred ? you have forgotten my coals ! ” 


214 : THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

“ No, Elizabeth, I have not been able to get them, I 
have been kept running.” 

“ Hurry, Alfred, or I shall not have time to broil my 
cutlets,” was the reply. 

“ And I must have a knife to cut my slices of bread,” 
said Louis, “ bring a knife, quick, Alfred.” 

“ I have no sugar for my strawberries, grate the sugar, 
Helen, hurry,” said James. 

“I have grated till I am tired,” she answered, “ I am 
going to rest a little — I am so thirsty ! ” 

“ Eat some cherries,” said Ruth, “ I am thirsty, too.” 

“And so am I,” chimed in James, “I am going to 
taste a few to refresh myself. ” 

“ I shall do the same,” added Louis, “ it is very 
fatiguing to cut bread.” 

And the four little ones surrounded the basket of 
cherries. 

“ Let us sit down,” said Ruth, “it will be more con- 
venient whilst refreshing ourselves.” 

They refreshed themselves so well that they ate every 
cherry. When the basket was empty they looked 
anxiously at one another. 

“ They are all gone,” said Ruth. 

“ We are going to get scolded,” answered Helen. 

“ Oh ! what shall we do ? ” inquired Louis, anxiously. 

“Ask Cadichon to come to our aid,” said James. 

“ What do you want Cadichon to do ? ” replied Louis, 
“ he cannot make cherries appear in the basket when we 
have eaten them all ! ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


245 


“ He might do what amounts to the same,” said James. 
“ Cadichon, my good Cadichon, come to our aid, see this 
empty basket and try to fill it.” 

I was very near the four little gourmands. 

J ames put the empty basket under my nose to help 
me understand what he wanted. I smelt it and started 
off in a trot ; going to the kitchen where I had seen some 
one take a basket of cherries, I seized the basket between 
my teeth, trotted off with it and deposited it in the 
midst of the children, still seated around the stones and 
stems in their plates. 

A cry of joy greeted my return. The others turned 
around at this and inquired the meaning of it. 

“ It is Cadichon ! Cadichon ! ” exclaimed James. 

“ Dont tell,” said Kuth, they will know then that we 
ate up the other cherries.” 

“Well, suppose they do know it,” answered James, 
“ I wish them also to know how kind and intelligent 
Cadichon is.” 

And running to them, he told how I had repaired 
their greediness. Instead of scolding the four little 
ones, they praised James’s frankness and bestowed the 
highest eulogiums upon my intelligence. 

Meanwhile Alfred had kindled Maud’s fire, and 
brought Elizabeth’s coals ; Maud cooked her omelet, 
Beatrice finished her cream, Elizabeth her cutlets, Wil- 
liam cut his veal in slices preparatory to making the 
seasoning, Henry stirred and stirred his potato salad ; 
James made a mush of strawberries and cream, Louis 


21* 


216 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


cut a pile of buttered bread, Helen grated sugar until 
the sugar bowl was empty, Ruth picked over the basket 
of cherries, whilst Alfred breathless and in a perspiration, 
sst the table, ran for fresh water to cool the w T ine, and 
vessels of radishes, cucumbers, sardines and olives to 
ornament the table. He had forgotten the salt, he 



had not thought of the covers, glasses were wanting, 
May bugs and gnats had fallen into the goblets and on 
plates. When, at last, everything was ready and on the 
table, Maud, clapping her hands to her forehead, 
exclaimed : 

“Ah! We have forgotten one thing, to ask our 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


247 


mammas’ permission to breakfast outdoors on a meal of 
our own preparation.” 

“Let us go at once,” was the unanimous answer; 
“ Alfred will keep guard over the breakfast.” 

And, darting towards the house, they rushed into the 
parlor, where their papas and mammas were assembled. 

The sudden appearance of all these children, red, 
breathless, arrayed in kitchen aprons like scullions, quite 
surprised their parents. 

Each one ran to his or her mamma, and asked the 
required permission with such volubility that, at first, it 
was impossible to know what they meant. After a few 
questions and explanations, it was granted, and they 
hastened back to Alfred and their breakfast. But Alfred 
had disappeared. 

“ Alfred ! Alfred ! ” they cried. 

“ Here I am, here I am,” answered a voice apparently 
from the skies. 

Looking up, they perceived Alfred, perched in an oak 
tree. He began to descend slowly and cautiously. 

“ What made you climb up there ? ” said William and 
Henry ; “ what a strange idea that was ! ” 

Alfred made no reply, but continued to get down, and 
when he had reached the ground the children were sur- 
prised to see him pale and trembling. 

“ Why did you climb that tree, Alfred ? what has hap- 
pened to you ? ” said Beatrice. 

“ If it had not been for Cadichon, you would not have 
found me or your breakfast either ; I climbed the oak 
tree to save my life.” 


248 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


“ Do tell us wliat has happened?” said William; 
“ how could Cadichon save your life and our breakfast? ” 
“ Let us take our places at the table and listen whilst 
we eat, I am dying of hunger,” said Maud. 

They seated themselves on the grass, around the table- 
cloth ; Maud helped to her omelet, which was excellent ; 
and Elizabeth, in turn, to her cutlets, which were very 
nice, but cooked a little too much. The rest of the 
breakfast followed, everything turning out quite satis- 
factorily. Whilst they ate, Alfred recounted the fol- 
lowing : 

“ You had scarcely started ere the two big farm dogs, 
attracted by the smell of food, came running to the spot. 
I seized a stick, and, brandishing it before them, tried to 
drive them off, but in vain ; they could not resist the 
sight of the cutlets, the omelet, the bread, the butter, the 
cream ; instead of flying from my stick, which they little 
feared, they rushed at me ; I threw the stick at the head 
of the biggest, and it jumped on my back — ” 

“ How could it jump on your back ? ” said Henry ; 
“ he went behind you, did he ? ” 

“ Ho,” said Alfred, blushing ; “ but, having thrown 
my stick at him, 1 had no means of defense, and you 
can certainly understand the folly of my letting myself 
be devoured by hungry dogs.” 

“ Oh ! I understand now,” replied Henry in a tone of 
raillery, “ it was you who turned upon your heel to 
escape.” 

“ I was running to find you and the beasts were run- 



The other dog leaped at mo.— (Pago 25 L.) 


( 249 ) 
















$ 










- 




. «>* a, 


. 


- . r.4f •: ' v 

• S ;‘ 'S A 

4 4 









»; - • • *"> > . * 

* . • . * - 




' 

. - 


. .... • i i- , •• • ....... ., , • - 

- •*'„.• . ■ ;■% » -v* * 

, • . ‘.V . 

... - 

' 












x * 















THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 251 

ning after me, when Cadichon came to my assistance. 
Seizing the biggest dog by the skin of the back, he shook 
him well, whilst I sought safety by climbing a tree. 
The other dog leaped at me, caught me by my clothes, 
and would have torn me to pieces, had not Cadichon 
rescued me from this animal also. Giving a good final 
bite to the first dog, and throwing him up in the air 
whence he fell a few T steps farther off, bruised and bleed- 
ing, Cadichon now seized the tail of the dog that held 
me, which act freed me at once, for, of course, my assail- 
ant immediately relinquished his hold. After pulling 
him a little distance, Cadichon turned around with 
incredible agility, and gave him a kick on the jaw bone that 
must have broken several teeth. The two dogs went off 
yelping, and I was about to decend when you came.” 

All admired my courage and presence of mind, and 
came up to me, loading me with caresses and praises. 

“ You see now for yourselves,” said James, with a 
triumphant air and sparkling eyes, “ that my friend Cadi- 
chon has become excellent, I don’t know w r hether you 
care for him or not, but I do more than ever. We will 
always be the best of friends, wont we Cadichon ? ” 

I did my best to respond wfith a joyful bray ; the 
children laughed and resuming their seats at the table, 
continued their repast, Beatrice now served her cream. 

“ That’s good cream ! ” said James. 

“ I wish some more,” said Louis. 

“And I, and I,” cried Helen and Ruth, Beatrice was 
much pleased with her success. Indeed, every dish had 


252 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


given such satisfaction, that the table was entirely cleared. 
Poor Janies, however, had a slight humiliation. His 
charge was the strawberries and cream. He had sugared 
his cream and poured it over the stemmed strawberries, 
making a very nice looking dish. Unfortunately for him, 
he finished before the others. Seeing there was plenty 
of time, he concluded to improve it and his dish together, 
by mashing the berries in the cream. He crushed and 
he crushed, so long and so well, that the result w T as a 
thick pap, quite nice to the taste, but very uninviting in 
appearance. 

Then James’s turn arrived to serve the strawber- 
ries. 

“ Oh ! what are you giving me,” exclaimed Maud, 
“ what is it ? red pap ? What is it made of? ” 

“ It is not red pap,” answered James somewhat con- 
fused, “ it is strawberries and cream, and very nice, I 
assure you, Maud ; taste it, and you will see.” - 

“ Strawberries ? ” said Beatrice, “ where are the straw- 
berries? I see none. This stuff looks disgusting.” 

“ Oh ! yes, it is disgusting,” echoed all the rest. 

“ I thought they would be nicer crushed,” said poor 
little James, his eyes full of tears. “ But if you wish it, 
I will go quickly and pick some more strawberries, and 
get some cream from the house.” 

“No, no, James,” said Elizabeth, touched at his gentle- 
ness, “ your cream is, no doubt, very nice. Give me 
some, I will eat it with great pleasure.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


253 


James’s face brightened, he kissed Elizabeth and helped 
her most bountifully. 

The other children, softened like Elizabeth by James’s 
mildness and good will, asked for some of his dish, and 
all, after tasting, pronounced it excellent, much better 
indeed than if the berries had been whole. 

Little James, who had been anxiously watching their 
countenances as they tasted his cream, became radiant 
when he saw the success of his invention ; he partook of 
it himself, and although not much remained for him, 
there was enought to make him regret not having made 
more. 

Breakfast over, they washed the dishes in a- large tub, 
that had been accidentally left out, and tilled during the 
night from the rains pout. 

This was not the least amusing part of the business, 
and it was still in progress when the study bell sounded, 
and their parents called them to their books. They 
begged a quarter of an hour’s grace, to finish wiping 
the dishes and putting them away. It was granted, and 
before the expiration of the time, everything was carried 
back to the kitchen, put in its place, the children at their 
studies, and Alfred having said good-bye, was about to 
start home. 

Before leaving, he called me to him, and seeing that I 
approached, he ran to me, caressing and thanking me by 
his words and pattings for the service I had rendered 
him. I received this expression of gratitude with pleas- 
ure. It confirmed me in the opinion that Alfred was 


254 : 


THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


much better than I had at first judged him, that he was 
neither revengeful nor malicious, and also, that if some- 
what cowardly and stupid, it was not his fault. 

I had occasion a few days afterwards to render him a 
new service. 


XXVII. 

THE BOAT. 

James — “ What a pity we cannot cook a breakfast 
every day, as we did last week, it was so amusing ! ” 

Louis — “And what a good breakfast ! ” 

Maud — “ The best thing to me was the potato salad and 
veal with vinegar sauce.” 

Beatrice — “ I know why very well ; it is because your 
mamma forbids you eating such things constantly.” 

“ Very likely,” said Maud, laughing, “ what we seldom 
get to eat always appears best, especially when it is some- 
thing we like naturally.” 

William — “ What shall we do to-day for amusement ? ” 

Elizabeth — “ Sure enough, it is Thursday, we have holi- 
day until dinner.” 

Henry — “ If we could get a mess of fish from the big 
pond — ” 

Maud — “What a splendid idea! we will have a dish 
of fish for to-morrow, Friday! ” 

Beatrice — “ How will we fish ? have we fishing lines ? ” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


255 


William — “ We liave boohs enough but we want rods.” 

Henry — “ Shall we send one of the servants to the 
village to buy them ? ” 

William — “ They are not sold in the village, we would 
have to send to the city and that is very far.” 

Maud — “Oh! here comes Alfred, perhaps they have 
s>me lines at his house; and we can send some one on 
the pony for them.” 

James — “ I will ride over on Cadichon.” 

Henry — “ You cannot go so far alone.” 

James — “ It is not far, only half a league.” 

“ What is it, my friends, you are going to get with 
Cadichon ? ” said Alfred as he came up. 

William — “ Fishing lines ; have you any, Alfred ? ” 

Alfred — “ Ho ; and there is no necessity for going so far ; 
with knives, we can make as many ourselves, as we 
want.” 

Henry — “ To be sure! why did we not think of it 
before.” 

Alfred — “ Come quick to the woods to cut them. Have 
you knives ? mine is in my pocket.” 

William — “ I have an excellent one that Maud brought 
me from London.” 

Henry — “And I also have one that Beatrice gave me.” 

James — “I have one.” 

Louis— “And I.” 

“ Come along then,” said Alfred, “ whilst we cut the 
rods, you may strip off the bark and little twigs.” 

“And what shall we do in the meantime ? ” asked Maud, 
Beatrice and Elizabeth. 


256 THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 

“Make the other necessary preparations,” said Wil- 
liam: “ get the bread, the worms, the hooks.” 

And they all dispersed, each one to his or her post. 

I then went very quietly towards the pond, and in 
something over half an hour, the children arrived, run- 
ning each one with his line, and bringing the hooks and 
other necessary appurtenances. 

“ We must beat the water, must we not, to bring tlie 
fish to the surface,” said Henry. 

William — “Just the contrary, we must keep quiet as 
possible, for if we frighten the fish, they will all go down 
to the bottom in the mud.” 

Maud — “I think a good way of attracting them, 
would be to throw some crumbs of bread in the water.” 

Beatrice — “ Yes, but not much ; if we feed them plen- 
tifully, they will not not bite at the hooks.” 

Elizabeth — “ Let me do it, you prepare the hooks, whilst 
I throw in the bread.” 

Elizabeth took the bread, and at the first crumb she 
threw, half a dozen fish pounced upon it. She repeated 
the process, assisted by Louis, James, Helen and Ruth, 
until the fish were surfeited and would eat no more. 

“ I believe we have given them too much,” said Eliza- 
beth in an undertone to Louis and James. 

James — “ What difference does that make? they will 
eat the rest this evening or to-morrow.” 

Elizabeth — “ But they w T on’t bite at the bait now, 
they are no longer hungry.” 

James — “ Oh! oh! our cousins will be displeased.” 


THE AL VENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


257 


Elizabeth — “ Say nothing about it, they are busy with 
their hooks ; perhaps the fish will bite all the same.” 

“The lines are ready,” said William; “each of you 
take one and cast it in the water.” 

They did so, and waited a few minutes in breathless 
silence ; the fish would not bite. 

Alfred — “ This is not a good place, let us go farther.” 

Helen — “ I believe there are no fish here, look at those 
bread crumbs not eaten.” 

Maud — “ Let us go to the end of this pond, near the 
boat.” 

William — “ The water is very deep there.” 

Elizabeth — “ What difference does that make? Are 
you afraid the fish will be drowned ? ” 

William — “ Hot the fish, but one of us might fall in.” 

Henry — “ How would we fall in ? we are not going 
near enough to the edge to slip or roll in.” 

William — “ Very true, but for all that, I do not wish 
the little ones to go there.” 

James — “Oh! yes, William, do let me go with you? 
we will keep at a distance from the water.” 

William — “Ho, no, stay where you are; we wfill soon 
be back, for I don’t think w^e will find any more fish 
there than here. Moreover,” he added, lowering his voice, 
“ it is your fault we have caught none, you gave the fish 
ten times too much bread, I saw the whole thing ; 1 do 
not wish to tell Henry, Allred, Maud and Beatrice, but 
it is only right that you should be punished for your 
thoughtlessness*” 

22* 


258 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


James insisted no more, but told the other little cul- 
prits what William had said. They resigned themselves 
to remain where they were, and continued to throw their 
lines, still wishing the fish would bite, and still meeting 
with no success. 

I had followed William, Henry and Alfred to the end 
of the pond. They also cast their lines, but it was of no 
use; in vain did they move, and change their hooks, the 
fish would not bite. 

“Friends,” said Alfred, “I have an excellent idea, 
instead of worrying ourselves waiting for the fish to come 
to us, let us fish on a big scale, and take fifteen or twenty 
at a time.” 

William— “How can we take fifteen or twenty at a 
time, when we have not taken one yet ? ” 

Alfred — “With a sweep-net.” 

Henry — “But it is very difficult to manage; papa 
says, one must understand it.” 

Alfred — “ Difficult ! what nonsense 1 I have cast the 
sweep-net myself ten, yes, twenty times! It is very 
easy.” 

William — “ Did you take many fish ? ” 

Alfred— “I did not take any because I did not cast it 
in the water.” 

Henry — “ Where then, and how did yoit cast it, if not 
in the w T ater ? ” 

Alfred — “ On the grass or the groitnd, only to learn 
how.” 

William — “ But that is not the same thing at all, I am 
sure you would cast it very awkwardly on the water.” 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


259 


Alfred — “ Awkwardly ! Do you really think that ? I 
will convince you of the contrary. I am going to get the 
sweep-net which lies in the yard, drying in the sun.” 

William — “ Please don’t Alfred, if anything should 
happen, papa would scold.” 

Alfred —“And what can happen ? I tell you, that at 
home, we always fish with it. I am going, wait for 
me, I’ll not be long.” 

And away ran Alfred*, leaving William and Henry 
anxious and dissatisfied. He soon returned dragging the 
sweep net after him. 

“ Here it is,” said he, spreading it out on the ground. 
“ Now fish, beware ! ” 

He cast the net with tolerable dexterity, and began to 
draw it in cautiously and slowly. 

" Draw it in faster,” said Henry, “ we will never finish 
at that rate.” 

u No, no,” replied Alfred, “ it must be drawn very 
gently, so as not to break the meshes and let the fish 
escape.” 

He continued to draw it u very gently,” as he said, 
but only to find it empty, not one fish had been caught. 

“ Oh! ” said he, “ the first time does not count, we 
must not be discouraged, let us commence again.” 

He did commence again, and succeeded no better the 
second time than the first. 

“ I know what is the matte",” said he, “ I am too near 
the edge of the pond, the water is not deep enough here, 
I am going to get in the boat, which is very long, conse- 


260 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


quently, the farther end of it will give me sufficient 
depth of water to unfold my net. 

“ No, Alfred,” said William, “ keep away from the 
boat ; you may get that sweep-net entangled in the oars, 
or cordages and have an upset.” 

“William, you are just like a two year old baby,” 
replied Alfred, “ for my part I have more courage, you’ll 
see the result.” 

And he darted into the boat, which swayed from side to 
side. Although he pretended to laugh, Alfred was really 
afraid, and I saw that he would inevitably make a blunder, 
or do some mischief. He unfolded and spread out his net, 
notwithstanding the motion of the boat ; but his knees 
shook under him and his hands were unsteady. Self-love, 
however, urged him on, and he cast the net. But the 
movement being arrested by his fear of falling, the net 
caught on his left shoulder, and gave him sech a jerk that 
he fell headlong into the water. William and Henry 
uttered a scream of terror, in unison with that which 
escaped the unfortunate boy as he fell. Being enveloped 
in the net which crippled all his movements, his efforts to 
regain the shore "were in vain. The more he struggled, 
the more entangled he became in the net. I saw him 
gradually sinking, a few minutes more and he would have 
been beyond hope. William and Henry could give him 
no assistance, neither of them knowing how to swim, 
and before they could have run for help, Alfred must 
certainly have perished. 

I decided upon my part at once; resolutely plunging 







■mm 


IK 


ml 




( 261 ) 






















> . . 

• i--.’ • v 

.• ■ : : ■ 



. 





















* 















1 












* 






. . * . ' ■. 1 

. • * • ** v 
- 

) 










1 















* ' 








' 
















i .. % 
. . '• • ’*. 

. ••• 





























j 

: 













' 








» » 












> 


•- 










r* - v 






% 













































. 







































































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


263 


into the water, I swam towards him, and diving (for ho 
had already sunk considerably beneath the surface), I 
seized with my teeth the net which enveloped him. 
Then swimming back, pulling it after me. I climbed 
the very steep bank, still dragging Alfred (no doubt giv- 
ing him a few bruises on the stones and roots in our path,) 
and laid him on the grass, motionless and unconscious. 

William and Henry, pale and trembling, ran to him, 
and with considerable difficulty, succeeded in ridding him 
of the net which was wrapped around him. They then 
sent Maud and Beatrice to the house for help. 

The little ones, who, from a distance had seen Alfred 
fall, also came running to the spot, and assisted William 
and Henry to wipe his face and dripping hair. The ser- 
vants soon appeared, and lifting the unconscious Alfred 
from the grass carried him to the house. The other 
children remained with me. 

“ You splendid Cadiclion ! ” exclaimed James, “ it was 
you who saved Alfred’s life ! Did you all see how cour- 
ageously he plunged into the water.” 

Louis — “Yes, certainly, and how he dived to get hold 
of Alfred.” 

Elizabeth — “And how carefully he drew Alfred to the 
shore.” 

James — “ Poor Cadiclion ! how wet he is ! ” 

Helen— “ Don’t go near him James, you will get your 
clothes wet, just look how the water drips off of him.” 

“Ah! bah! what difference does it make if I am a 
little wet ? ” answered James, putting his arms around 
my neck, “ I shall not be as wet as Cadichon.” 


264 


TIIE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


Louis — “ Instead of hugging him and paying him 
compliments, you had better take him to the stable, and 
let us rub him down with a little straw, and then give 
him some oats to warm him up and revive him.” 

James — “That is true, you are right. Come, my 
Cadichon.” 

I followed James and Louis who went towards the 
stable, making me a sign to follow them. Both began to 
rub me down with such vehemence that they were soon 
in a perspiration, but for all that, neither of them would 
stop until I was dry. Meanwhile, Helen and Ruth 
employed themselves combing and brushing my tail and 
mane. I was superb when they had all finished, and I 
partook with extraordinary appetite, of the oats which 
James and Louis gave me. 

“Helen,” said little Ruth in a low tone to her cousin, 
“ Cadichon has a great quantity of oats, he has too many.” 

Helen — “ That's no matter, Ruth ; he has been very 
good, and we have given him the oats as a reward.” 

Ruth — “ I would like to have a few of his oats myself.” 

Helen — “ For what ? ” 

Ruth — “ To give our poor rabbits, that love oats so 
much, and never get any.” 

Helen — “ If James and Louis see you taking oats from 
Cadichon, they will scold.” 

Ruth — “ They shall not see me, I will wait until they 
are not looking.” 

Helen — “ Then you will be a thief, for you would be 
stealing oats from poor Cadichon, who cannot complain, 
because he cannot speak.” 



Ruth ran joyously to her rabbits— (Page 268.) 


23 


265) 






THE ADVENTUKES OF A DONKEY. 


267 


“ So I would,” said Rutli sadly. “ My poor rabbits 
would be too glad to have a few oats.” And she seated 
herself near my trough and watched me as I ate. 

“Why are you sitting there, Ruth?” asked Helen. 
“ Come with me to inquire for Alfred.” 

“ Ho,” said Ruth, “ I would rather wait till Cadichon 
finishes eating, so that if he leaves any oats, I can take 
them for my rabbits without stealing.” 

Helen insisted, but Ruth refused to go, and Helen at 
last went off with her cousins. 

I ate slowly, wishing to see if Ruth would yield even 
once to the temptation of regaling her rabbits at my 
expense. From time to time she looked in the trough. 

“ How he eats,” said she, “ he will never finish — he 
cannot be hungry, for he is always eating — the oats are 
disappearing, if he would leave only a few, I should be 
so delighted.” 

I could easily have eaten all that was before me, but 
the poor little girl excited my pity. She touched nothing 
in spite of her desire to regale the rabbits. Pretending 
to have enough, I quit my trough, leaving the half of 
my oats ; Ruth uttered a cry of joy, leaped to her feet, 
and taking the oats by the handful emptied them into 
her black taffetta apron. 

“ Oh ! how kind you are, how obliging you are, my 
dear good Cadichon,” said she. “ I never saw such a 
donkey as you — It is very genteel not to be a glutton — 
Everybody loves you because you are good — The rabbits 
will be so pleased ! I will tell them, it was you that gave 
them their oats.” 


268 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


And Ruth who had finished gathering up the oats and 
putting them in her apron, ran joyously to her rabbits. 
I saw her reach their little house, and I heard her tell 
them how good I was, that I v T as not the least bit of a 
glutton — that they must follow my example, and as I 
had left some oats for them, so ought they to leave some 
for the little birds. 

“ I will soon return,” said she, “ to see if you are as 
good as Cadichon.” 

She shut their door and ran to join Helen. 

Following her to hear something from Alfred, I was 
delighted on approaching the castle, to see him seated 
on the grass with his friends. He arose, and coming 
to me, covered me with caresses. 

“ Here is my deliverer,” said he ; “ but for him I would 
have died, I became unconscious at the very moment, 
when Cadichon having seized the net, began to draw me 
to land ; but I have a distinct recollection of seeing him 
plunge in the water and dive to save me. I shall never 
forget the service he has rendered me, and I shall never 
come here without speaking to Cadichon.” 

“ That is right, Alfred,” said the grandmother. “ He 
who has a good heart, is no less grateful to the lower 
animals than to men. As for me, I shall always remem- 
ber Cadichon’s services, and happen what will, I am 
determined never to part with him.” 

“ But grandmother,” said Maud, “ a few months ago 
you talked of sending him to the mill. He would have 
been very miserable there.” 


Here is my deliverer.”— (Page 268.) 



23* 


(260) 











































\ 








. •••■ ' • • =■• r. 




— * * 

' r . 

• i • 

•v* 5 > — • / 

> • * . V. . ... - 

- . " ’:i% 


•: * 






■* 


«• 

- 















- ■ » i 

* 

- 

























- * 5 * 


. 


* 
































V. 






7 





;: c ..... 

' • > 


) 










i l 


I 






i k 


J 






. * 































THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


271 


“ Yes, dear child, but I did not send him ; I did think 
of it, it is true, after the trick he played Alfred, both 
because of it, and the numberless complaints from every- 
one on the place. But I decided to keep him in 
acknowledgment of his former services, and I now say, 
that not only shall he remain, but everything shall be 
done to render him comfortable and happy.” 

“ Oh ! thanks, grandma, thanks,” exclaimed J ames, 
throwing his arms around his grandmother’s neck and 
almost pulling her to the ground. “ Let me be the one 
to take charge of my dear Cadichon, I shall love him 
and he will love me more than he does any one else.” 

“ Why, my little James, do you wish Cadichon to care 
more for you than for the others ? That is not right.” 

“ Yes, yes, grandma, it is right, for I love him more 
than they do, and besides, w T hen he was bad, and every- 
body displeased with him, I still cared a little for him, 
indeed, I might say, a great deal,” he added, laughing, 
“ Isn’t it so, Cadichon ? ” 

I answered by coming up to him and laying my head 
on his shoulders. Everybody laughed and James con- 
tinued : 

“ How, cousins, are you willing for Cadichon to love 
me more than he does you ? ” 

“ Yes, yes, yes,” they all answered, laughing. 

“ And haven’t I always cafed more for him than the 
rest of you have ? ” 

“ Yes, yes, yes,” was the unanimous reply* 

(i You see* grandma* that since it was I who brought 


274 


THE ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY. 


my remaining ont-doors, to jot down some of the most 
important events of my life. They may amuse you, 
perhaps, my young friends ; at any rate, they will teach 
you, that if you wish faithful service, you must treat 
kindly those who serve you — that they who appear the 
most stupid are not always so — that a donkey like 
everything else, has a heart to love his masters and 
suffer from bad treatment, a will to be revenged or to 
show his affection — that it depends upon his masters to 
make him either happy or unhappy, a friend or an 
enemy, poor donkey as he is. I, myself, am very happy, 
loved by every one, and cared for as a friend by my little 
master James. I am beginning to grow old, but we 
donkeys sometimes live a long time, and just as long as 
I am able to walk and be of any use whatever, my ser- 
vices are at the disposal of my masters. 


THE END. 


John B. Piet, 
Publisher and Printer, 
Baltimore. 






















' 

























































































» 




























































































































5 • 
























. 








. • 




















• ; 



























































